Passengers evacuate after bus catches fire in Milton Keynes

Jayden Keppel, 18, lives a street away from where the bus came to a halt and said he became aware of the emergency after his house started to smell of melting plastic.

He said: “To be honest I was quite shocked at how a bus could actually set on fire in the first place.

“Luckily, I believe everyone made it off safely, including the driver, but there was the chance the engine could’ve blown up.”

According to Ms West, alternative transport was not arranged by Arriva for passengers, which included children – leaving them to “walk a long distance alone in the dark”.

A spokesperson for Arriva Midlands said: “We have launched an investigation into what happened here.

“The safety of our staff and customers is of paramount importance.”