Horror as huge fire rips through school bus with children forced to abandon vehicle and flee terrifying blaze

THERE were horrific scenes as a fire ripped through a school bus with children forced to abandon the vehicle and flee the terrifying blaze.

All the children and the three adults on board managed to escape to safety before the bus was gutted by the blaze.

Shocking pictures showed flames bursting from the stricken coach as it was parked up on the A39 Shamble Way in North Devon.

The blaze quickly spread from the back of the 53-seater bus before it consumed the vehicle, leaving just a burnt metal frame.

Eyewitness Ian Wood told DevonLive that the passengers and driver sought safety in a nearby field before meeting with the South Western Ambulance service at a local pub.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service stated: "Crews from Lynton, Barnstaple, South Molton and Porlock were called to Shamble Way, Lynton, at 14:59 to reports that a 53-seater coach was on fire."

"On arrival, the vehicle, which was a school bus, was well alight but all children and three adults that had been on board had been
evacuated from the vehicle and were all accounted for.

"Crews used two breathing apparatus and a compressed air foam system and are still damping down at the incident."

Devon Alert, which provides traffic updates from Devon County Council, had advised drivers to avoid the area.

It said: "A39 Watersmeet Road is closed at the junction of B223, Lynton, due to a coach fire.

"Please use an alternative route or follow diversions and expect delays."