Bus fire causes massive traffic

NORMAL heavy morning traffic along the Cross Crossing Inter-change in San Fernando was made worse yesterday when a  PTSC bus, transporting 22 passengers from Port-of-Spain to San Fernando, caught fire yesterday. However, fortunately for bus driver John Flemming and his passengers, no one was injured in the incident. Police sources told Newsday the fire originated from the engine which is located at the back of the bus. The drama unfolded around 8.15 am when passengers at the rear of the bus alerted Flemming that they smelled smoke. Flemming pulled to the side of the road and as he was ushering out his passengers, the bus caught fire.

Firemen from the nearby Mon Repos Fire Station responded and were able to extinguish the flames before it spread to the entire bus. The engine and a few seats at the back of the bus were destroyed. The back glass was shattered due to the intense heat. Shortly after being informed about the fire, PTSC officials dispatched another bus to pick up and transport the stranded passengers to their destinations. Investigations are continuing.