Dramatic pictures show roadside blaze which engulfed Leyland minibus

Flames engulfed a minibus completely destroying the vehicle.
Mini bus fire on Midge Hall Lane, LeylandMini bus fire on Midge Hall Lane, Leyland
Mini bus fire on Midge Hall Lane, Leyland

These dramatic pictures were taken of the incident on Midge Hall Lane, Midge Hall, Leyland, yesterday afternoon, by resident John Debicki.

Fire crews rushed to tackle the roadside blaze on the empty 20-seater bus. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service received the emergency call at 2.27pm. Two crews – one from Leyland, the other from Bamber Bridge – attended.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The minibus was well alight when they got there. There were no casualties.

Mini bus fire, Midge Hall Lane, LeylandMini bus fire, Midge Hall Lane, Leyland
Mini bus fire, Midge Hall Lane, Leyland

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the blaze. Fire chiefs said the bus had not been involved in a road traffic collision and that initial findings suggested the fire was caused accidentally.

Mr Debicki said: “From my home I saw, outside, dense, black smoke. When I went to see what was going on there were smoke and flames appearing to come from the engine compartment of a minibus parked at the side of the road. A man who was obviously the driver was standing nearby.

“The fire quickly took hold and spread, the flames and smoke first back into the driver’s compartment and then into the passengers’ compartment. As the fire spread back there were mini explosions as combustibles took hold and the windows shattered and blew out in turn. The fear was that there might be a fuel explosion.”

Related topics: