Bus driver puts out flames after back of vehicle catches fire

A video of the SBS Transit bus posted by Lianhe Zaobao shows the bus on the rightmost lane in Telok Blangah Road. SCREENGRAB: LIANHE ZAOBAO

SINGAPORE - A bus caught fire in Telok Blangah at around noon on Tuesday (May 22), with the bus driver alighting to put out the flames.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force told The Straits Times that it was alerted at 12.02pm.

When it got to the scene, the fire had been put out by the driver with a fire extinguisher prior to SCDF's arrival.

Ms Tammy Tan, SBS Transit's senior vice-president of corporate communications, told ST that the Service 131 bus was travelling along Telok Blangah Road when the bus captain detected a burning smell.

"He stopped the bus and immediately evacuated the seven commuters on board," said Ms Tan. "He then used the on-board fire extinguisher to successfully put out the small fire before the arrival of the SCDF."

There were no reported injuries. SBS Transit is investigating the cause of the fire, and the bus in question has been taken off service.

A video of the SBS Transit bus posted by Lianhe Zaobao shows the bus on the rightmost lane in Telok Blangah Road.

SCDF officers were seen inspecting the back of the vehicle. ST understands that the fire involved the rear engine.

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