'Critical incident' declared as electric bus in Wimbledon bursts into flames

11 January 2024 , 09:03

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'Critical incident' declared as electric bus in Wimbledon bursts into flames

Residents in Wimbledon were woken up to a "loud bang" after a double-decker electric bus caught fire during the busy school run.

The Met Police declared a critical incident after the blaze broke out at 7am this morning in Wimbledon Hill, London. Drivers have been urged to avoid the area around Wimbledon Hill Road, which is still partially blocked both ways. Max Pashley, a local resident, told City A.M: "We heard a huge bang. We were terrified".

A 25-metre (82 ft) cordon remains in place around the scene, with road users asked to take alternative routes.

Startled eyewitnesses described seeing huge flames rising above the high street while taking their children to school. One social media user wrote: "Not what we expect to see on the school run…. Bus on fire - and the fumes are awful…."

Eyewitnesses described seeing the bus ablaze while on the school run

The Met Police has declared a critical incident

Another told the Metro that the smell coming from the scene was "very strong" and said it "didn’t look like a small fire". Fire crews from three different stations were seen tackling the fire from outside the nearby Alexandra pub, as one video clip showed a police officer surveying the area while part of the vehicle was hosed down. Pictures meanwhile showed the back of the bus - understood to be the route 200 from Mitcham to Raynes Par - left blackened and burnt out after the blaze was extinguished. It was later towed away.

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The bus was later towed away (Alamy Live News.)

Traffic has been left queuing in both directions, while road closures and diversions are expected to remain in place for several hours. London Fire Brigade have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, while police confirmed that no injuries had been reported. Residents living near the scene have been advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the amount of smoke, and local Conservative MP Stephen Hammond told constituents on social media to "be aware that journeys may take longer than usual".

Roads remained closed as emergency workers dealt with the burnt-out bus (Alex Lentati/LNP)

A spokesperson from London Fire Brigade said: "Firefighters have been called to a fire involving a bus on Wimbledon Hill Road in Wimbledon. Part of a double-decker electric bus is alight. A 25-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution and road closures are in place. There are currently no reports of any injuries."

"The Brigade was called at 0721. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Wimbledon, New Malden and Wandsworth fire stations are at the scene."

Police said no injuries were reported (Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)

Tom Cunnington, Head of Buses Business Development at Transport for London, said they were working with the operator, London General, and the bus manufacturer, Switch, to investigate what happened. "The bus was quickly evacuated and there are no reported injuries", he added.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 07:23hrs on Thursday, 11 January to reports of a bus on fire at Wimbledon Hill/Alwyne Road, SW19. Officers, London Fire Brigade [LFB] attended. At the scene a bus had caught fire."

"Road closures and cordons are in place. We expect them to remain for some time. There were no reported injuries. We thank the local community for their patience and cooperation as emergency services work at the scene. If possible please avoid the area."

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas