Cliff Notes
- A double-decker bus caught fire at Stockport Interchange around 6pm on Sunday evening, causing the station to close.
- Eyewitness accounts reported that flames erupted from the top of the bus, leading to a significant emergency response, which included three fire engines.
- Firefighters extinguished the blaze within approximately 40 minutes, and thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
- Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has stated the interchange will remain closed while a police investigation seeks to ascertain the cause of the fire.
- Passengers are advised to board buses from alternative locations nearby, and TfGM has apologised for the disruption caused.
Investigation underway after huge fire breaks out on bus at interchange
The double-decker bus erupted into flames and caused the station to close
A police investigation is underway after a huge fire broke out on a bus at Stockport Interchange on Sunday evening (March 9), it has been confirmed.
The double-decker bus erupted into roaring flames and caused the interchange to close after the incident at around 6 pm. Dramatic pictures and videos showed the vehicle well alight after the fire seemed to break out near the top floor.
Huge plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing over the station, with a heavy emergency services response called to the scene at around 6.30 pm. Three fire engines raced to the incident and spent around 40 minutes dampening the flames.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced the interchange will remain closed while police ‘find out exactly what happened’ and caused the fire.
A TfGM spokesperson, said: “Earlier this evening Stockport Interchange was evacuated to enable emergency services to deal with a fire on board a Bee Network bus – and remains closed while a police investigation is carried out.
“Thankfully nobody was injured and we will do whatever we can to support the police to find out exactly what has happened.
“Customers are currently able to board their buses from the stop immediately after the interchange, and passengers travelling to the interchange can alight their bus on Viaduct Street.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers while investigations are being carried out and would encourage passengers to check our website and social media channels for the latest information and advice.”
Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for a full statement on the incident.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just after 6.30pm this evening (Sunday 9th March), three fire engines from Whitehill, Offerton and Stockport Central fire station were call about reports of a vehicle fire involving a double decker bus at Stockport Interchange.
“Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighter wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire. Firefighters were in attendance for around forty minutes.”