Yahoo News Go North East launches 'comprehensive investigation' after bus catches fire in Gateshead
Go North East has launched a "comprehensive investigation" after a bus caught fire in Gateshead.
The operator said no-one had been injured and the bus in question - a vehicle on the 52 route - had been successfully evacuated by the driver on Monday morning. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service confirmed two fire crews had been sent to the scene and extinguished the fire.
The bus was forced to stop in Carr Hill Road - and this then led to the routes of the 51 and 52 buses being diverted. These diversions had been lifted by Monday afternoon.
Go North East business director, Ben Maxfield said: "We are aware of a serious thermal incident involving one of our vehicles today. No injuries occurred as a result of the incident, and we can confirm that the driver and all passengers were safely evacuated. We are now initiating a comprehensive investigation to determine the underlying cause of the incident.'
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, said: “We can confirm that earlier today [Monday 29th April] two crews from Gateshead Community Fire Station attended a vehicle fire on Carr Hill Road in Gateshead. The first appliance was on-scene within five minutes of our control team receiving the call, followed by the police and local authority.
"The driver and passengers had already been evacuated from the bus before the crews attended the incident, and firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used hose reels to extinguish the fire safely. Our crews left the incident location at 11.19 am.”
