A National Express coach sustained significant damage after catching fire in Plymouth’s Honicknowle area on Thursday afternoon, sparking a large-scale emergency response.
The blaze, which occurred around 14:10 GMT, led to crews from six fire stations being dispatched to the scene. Devon and Cornwall Police evacuated a nearby building as a precaution while the fire was brought under control.
According to Devon and Somerset Fire Service, the fire, deemed accidental, left the coach approximately 80% damaged. Fortunately, the vehicle was empty at the time, and no injuries were reported.
Two additional vehicles parked near the incident site also suffered damage. The fire service utilised absorbent pads to contain diesel and other fluids that leaked from the ruptured fuel tank during the incident.
Newton Abbot Fire Station shared updates on Facebook, including photos showing the extent of the damage.
The post confirmed that the coach was safely removed from the roadway later that evening.
National Express, a leading coach service provider in the UK, has a strong safety record and is known for maintaining high standards in its fleet.
This incident highlights the importance of ongoing safety measures and the swift response from emergency services in mitigating potential risks.
