It was a close call for riders of a BC Transit bus when it caught fire last night in downtown Sidney.
Fire Prevention Officer Darrin Blinko, of the Sidney Fire Department, said the bus’ engine caught fire around 10:30 p.m on Fifth Avenue. Initially passengers were onboard, but the transit operator successfully evacuated the bus quickly and no injuries were reported.
SVFD has extinguished a bus fire on 5th street, no injuries, and traffic on 5th should reopen before 22:00. pic.twitter.com/FonHoJQDzI
— SidneyVFire (@SidneyVFire) August 26, 2017
“In 20 years that I’ve been here at the fire department I’ve never seen a double decker bus catch on fire,” Blinko said. “It’s pretty unusual. It was a pretty intense fire.”
Blinko said heavy smoke conditions and nearby hydro lines made the operation challenging. Firefighters removed a top window to ventilate the upper level.
BC Transit said the vehicle has undergone significant damage and is still under investigation.
Video courtesy of Dan Sobieraj.
