School bus fire at Charlton Down

The Damory service D3 was taking children home from the Thomas Hardye School and Dorchester Middle School yesterday afternoon when it started to emit smoke and caught fire, an onlooker said.

Pictures from the scene at Charlton Down near Dorchester show flames raging from beneath the vehicle, below.

Dorset Echo reader (Image: Dorset Echo reader)

The witness said: "The bus was stopped in Charlton Down and the children were evacuated by the bus driver.

"No-one was hurt and the children were taken to a grass area near some houses. There were firefighters in attendance and two police vehicles arrived after the initial flames were put out."

They added: "I saw lots of smoke rising from around most of the bus. It was shocking to see. I am still in shock and so are many parents and children."

Dorset Echo reader (Image: Dorset Echo reader)

Alex Chutter, Damory general manager, said: “I can confirm there was a fire today on one of our coaches, transporting pupils from Thomas Hardye School and Dorchester Middle School. Nobody on board was injured. 

“The safety of our drivers and passengers is our first priority, and we are carrying out an immediate investigation to establish the circumstances behind this incident.

“We arranged a replacement coach to transport those on-board to their onward destination and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Dorchester and Bridport were called to Herrison Road at 4pm to a bus fire.

The single decker blue Damory vehicle had a fire in the engine compartment, the brigade said.

It was extinguished by crews wearing breathing kits and using two hose reels.

A small amount of engine oil was mopped up using environmental pads.

Bridport firefighters left the scene at 5pm and the Dorchester crew left at 5.30pm.