A DIAMOND bus went out in a blaze that was not quite so glorious this afternoon (Wednesday) as the vehicle caught fire outside of Tudor Grange Academy.
The service was on its way to the Woodrow Drive site where it was due to pick up students at the end of the school day.
But after noticing a strange smell the driver pulled the empty vehicle over to the side of the road where he discovered a fire from the engine compartment.
David Squire, additional director at Diamond Buses with responsibility for Redditch, went straight to the scene after receiving calls to inform him of the incident.
He said: “The bus was on its way to Tudor Grange to pick up one of the school routes.
“As it was approaching the school the driver became aware of a smell so he pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road very quickly.”
Following a call to the emergency services a fire crew arrived and extinguished the flames.
Mr Squire added he will be launching an enquiry with the fire service into the situation to attempt to determine what caused the blaze.
A replacement service was arranged to cover the disabled bus and Tudor Grange students were transported home in the school’s own minibuses.
The damaged vehicle is currently in the process of being removed from outside of the school.
A spokesperson from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: “A coach was on fire in Woodrow Drive, Redditch and two appliances from Redditch Fire Station have attended the scene.
“Two breathing apparatus and two hose reel jetswere used to extinguish the fire. Crews are currently damping the vehicle down.”
