Alert bus driver ushers passengers to safety before fire

The driver of the number 23 bus – which stopped at the junction of Sullivan Drive and Barlow Road, Bewbush – then alerted the fire brigade.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire & Rescue said two fire crews were called to the fire at just after 1pm today (Monday December 23).

She added the vehicle had been “severely damaged”.

A spokesman for Metrobus said it was too early to tell whether the single-decker vehicle could be repaired or if it would have to be scrapped.

She confirmed the bus was carrying “only a couple of people” and said the front of the bus had been “blackened with the soot from the fire”.

The spokesman added: “Checks will be carried out on that particular vehicle type in our fleet, plus a full investigation of the fire damaged vehicle as well.”