Firefighters were called this morning to a bus on fire in Front Lane, Cranham.

The alarm was raised at 8.18. Firefighters said the bus had reached 100 per cent alight.

The fire was brought under control by 8.53. Two fire crews, from Hornchurch and Harold Hill, are on the scene.

London Ambulance Service are also present but said there had been no casualties.

A Havering Police spokesman said the 248 bus was completely burnt out, and on first sight there appears to have been an engine failure.

Officers have closed roads around Front Lane to deal with the incident.

Cllr Gillian Ford, ward councillor for Cranham, was at the scene following the fire. She said: “I spoke to the bus driver and he said he saw smoke within the bus, so he evacuated all the passengers.

“Within 10 minutes the bus was up in flames. It went up very quickly, probably because of the fibre glass and the upholstery.

“I think credit needs to go to the driver for evacuating the passengers safely, and for the fire brigade for getting there quickly.”

Did you witness the fire? Please call the news desk on 020 8477 3878 or e-mail news.desk@romfordrecorder.co.uk.