Flames engulfed the vehicle yesterday. Photo: Caroline Tierney

Seats were burnt, windows shattered and handrails melted yesterday when a public bus caught fire in Burmarrad and was reduced to a charred metal carcass.

No one was hurt in the blaze as the bus was not in service when the fire started.

Malta Public Transport has launched an investigation.

The fire broke out as the bus was on the way to Buġibba at about 3pm, enveloping the whole bus and producing a thick plume of smoke, with photos .

Flames spread quickly throughout the vehicle, a Volvo Saracakis that was also used in the pre-Arriva days. It was not carrying passengers at the time.

The road was closed off as fire fighters put out the blaze. The bus driver was treated for smoke inhalation.

Police are investigating and a magisterial inquiry is being held.

Malta Public Transport said the fleet’s other buses of this type have been taken off the road for inspections overnight.

“It is very embarrassing for us to have to face a situation like this in the third week since we took over the service.

“At this stage we are doing everything necessary to understand exactly why this happened and what must be done to prevent similar incidents,” Malta Public Transport said.

Coincidentally, the incident happened just a few hours after the release of an expert’s report on the cause of the fires on three bendy buses in August last year.

The report blamed diesel spillage and a poor cooling system on the vehicles.

The remains of the bus in Burmarrad. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier