A double decker bus has been completely destroyed by fire as a result of a blaze ripping through the vehicle on the main road between Newport and Sandown.
It was just before 00:40 this morning (Friday) that the public service vehicle came to a stop on the A3056 Newport Road, Apse Heath when a fire broke out in the engine bay of the Go-Ahead group-owned Salisbury Reds bus.
A frantic 999 call was made to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, with fire control immediately mobilising appliances to the scene.
However, before fire crews could arrive, the blaze had taken hold with flames licking 20ft in the air, working their way from the rear to the front of the vehicle.
Island Echo understands the mainland-based bus was being utilised to transport revellers to and the Isle of Wight Festival but was not in service at the time.
Firefighters from Shanklin, Sandown and Ryde have all been involved in tackling the fire, with the Incident Support Unit from Ryde also mobilised for equipment replenishment due to the contamination of hoses with diesel.
1 main jet, 2 hose reel jets and 6 breathing apparatus have been used to contain and extinguish the fire, with efforts made to protect nearby properties.
No injuries have been reported.
Newport Road remains closed in both directions between Morrisons Roundabout and Apse Heath Roundabout as Stag Lane Motors work to recover the fire-damaged vehicle.
The road is expected to remain closed for the next few hours – which could impact the morning commute – as Island Roads work to clear debris and spillages from the highway.
Motorists should divert locally via The Downs, or Whiteley Bank/Godshill.
UPDATE @ 06:55 – Newport Road has now reopened in both directions, albeit under temporary traffic lights.
UPDATE @ 09:13 – Southern Vectis suspects a mechanical fault is to blame for this morning’s fire, with an investigation into the cause launched.
Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/mechanical-failure-thought-to-be-behind-early-hours-festival-bus-blaze/.
Goodness me – so lucky no one was hurt and this bus wasn’t in service. Best wishes to the driver. Shocking.
And they are trying to encourage people to
travel by bus, no thank you.
Time to extend the rail network, much safer.
Well, if you use a ‘mainland based bus’ what do you expect ?
Was it an electric bus?