Updated 6.40pm: adds Transport Malta statement

A public bus caught fire in spectacular fashion in Buġibba on Friday afternoon, sending flames high into the afternoon sky. 

The Malta Public Transport bus went up in flames as it carried passengers on its route along Mosta Road.

Its quick-thinking driver rapidly escorted passengers to a safe distance, and firefighters who rushed to the scene put out the flames before anybody was hurt. 

In a statement, MPT said that it had treated the driver, who it thanked, for shock as a precautionary measure.

It offered authorities its full support in investigations and said it would also be carrying out its own independent inquiry into the incident. 

Rapid Intervention Unit police officers diverted traffic away from the road to allow the incident site to be brought under control, while MPT route buses travelling along Mosta Road were also diverted. 

Once firefighters had put out the flames, they shattered glass panels on the facade of a showroom right next to the burning bus, to remove any potential danger the glass, which was scalded by the fire, might have posed.   

Transport Malta said later it had launched an independent investigation.

The investigation will try to determine the cause of the accident and will help the authority come up with recommendations to help avoid future similar accidents.

It also thanked the the driver for his swift actions, avoiding further repercussions, the Civil Protection Department for their intervention, and all those somehow affected by the accident.

Firefighters broke a showroom's glass windows as a precautionary measure. Video: Mark Zammit Cordina

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