Watch as fire rips through Wolverhampton bus - police launch investigation

Dramatic footage has shown the severity of a bus fire in Bilston as West Midlands Police launch an investigation into the circumstances around the incident. 

Emergency services rushed to the scene of Wood Street, Bilston, Wolverhampton, at around 3.12pm yesterday, quickly finding the bus that was well alight. 

While no one was harmed in the blaze, footage of the fire, sent to the Express & Star has shown the severity of the blaze that destroyed the vehicle. 

The video, sent in by Past and Present Domestic Appliances Ltd, in Bilston, shows flames flicking through the windows of a National Express West Midlands single-decker bus, with smoke rising above the buildings. 

'Like a furnace'

Talking about the fire, Ian Cwiikla-Watson, owner of Past and Present Domestic Appliances Ltd, said: "When I looked outside my shop I could see the flames coming from the bus, it looked like a furnace with how much smoke there was. 

"Thankfully by the time I got over there, everyone had escaped from the bus." 

The business owner said that he managed to speak to some of the people who got off the bus, with two 'young lads' saying that they saw the seats at the back of the bus alight.

He said: "I managed to speak to two young lads that got off and they told me the seat at the back of the bus was set on fire. I don’t know how true that it is but they were very adamant about their statement so I believe it to be true. 

"The police got there very quickly and then the fire brigade arrived a short time afterwards. The fire service and the police did a great job. I'm glad everyone was safe."

Police investigation

A police investigation has since been launched into the circumstances surrounding the fire, with West Midlands Police asking anyone with information to contact them directly. 

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We were called to Wood Street, Bilston at around 3.12pm on Thursday afternoon (27 Feb) to reports of a bus on fire. 

"No injuries have been reported. We remained in the area supporting our colleagues from WMFS.

"Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to get in touch quoting log 3159 of 27 Feb."