FIREFIGHTERS were called after a bus caught fire in Blackburn this afternoon.

Blackburn Fire Station received a call at around 4.40pm after reports that smoke had been seen coming from a single-decker Stagecoach bus near Billinge, in Preston New Road.

Passengers on the bus were evacuated by the driver, who pulled up after noticing the smoke coming from the vehicle’s engine.

Blackburn watch manager Damian Hartley said: “The driver did the right thing by evacuating the customers and getting them well away from the bus.

“Fortunately we were there before the fire could spread any further.”

A dry powder extinguisher and a hose reel jet were used to put out the flames.