Watch: Bus goes up in flames on Soho Road in Birmingham after suspected arson attack

The suspected arson incident took place on Soho Road, Handsworth yesterday (May 24 )
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A bus went up in flames in Birmingham in a suspected arson attack yesterday (Wednesday, May 24) evening.

Passengers were forced to flee after the top deck of the National Express West Midlands service was deliberately set alight in Handsworth, Birmingham.

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The top deck was left gutted by the fire, which West Midlands Police confirmed was being treated as an arson attack on board the Number 74 service.

Video footage obtained by Birmz Is Grime shows huge flames tearing through the vehicle as shocked witnesses watched on.

West Midlands Police said in a tweet yesterday that Soho Road in Handsworth, Birmingham was closed between Rookery Road and Alfred Road due to a suspected arson attack on a bus.

Two crews and eight firefighters from Handsworth Fire Station responded to Soho Road at 7.20pm. West Midlands Fire Service said: “Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used hose reels and a main jet to extinguish the fire, which is believed to have been started deliberatelty. They had left the scene by 8.30pm. No-one was reported injured.”

Soho Road fire (Photo - West Midlands Fire Service )Soho Road fire (Photo - West Midlands Fire Service )
Soho Road fire (Photo - West Midlands Fire Service )
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West Midlands Police also said in a tweet yesterday that nobody was believed to be injured but they asked people to avoid the area where possible. In images shared on social media, a burnt up National Express West Midlands bus was seen parked outside the Pure Vegi restaurant on Soho Road. The police have launched a probe about the incident.

A person on Twitter thanked the police for the heads up.

A National Express West Midlands spokesperson said: “At approximately 19:30 yesterday (Wednesday 24 May) a National Express West Midlands double decker bus on the 74 service was involved in an incident on Soho Road, Birmingham.

“There were no injuries and all passengers were swiftly evacuated from the vehicle. West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service attended the incident and we are giving every assistance with their investigations.

“Bus services in the area were diverted due to road closures as a result of the incident. We apologise to any of our customers whose journeys were affected.”

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