London‘s bus network was thrown into chaos on Saturday as three buses were taken out of action by fire and crashes.
Terrifying footage showed one bus in Twickenham bursting into flames before being consumed entirely – while in Southall the E5 to Perivale was wrecked after it ploughed into a bus stop on South Road.
On the other side of London, a new-style Routemaster on the 5 route between Canning Town and Romford crashed into the side of a house in Claughton Road, East Ham. All three incidents happened across Saturday.
It marked a chaotic day for Transport for London (TfL) – and the fourth major bus fire to hit its fleet this year after similar incidents in Putney on January 25, in North Woolwich on January 12 and in Wimbledon on January 11.
The East Ham incident went viral on TikTok and X, formerly Twitter, with a copy of the video on the Elon Musk-owned site picking up 60,000 views in a matter of hours.
A bus ploughed into a bus stop in Southall, west London on Saturday afternoon
The crash on Southall’s South Road earlier today decimated the bus stop – but its screen was still operational and was able to tell passengers to use another stop (above)
The Southall Broadway bus stop has ‘reported access issues’, TfL says on its website
Elsewhere, a bus ploughed into the side of a house in East Ham on a residential street away from its usual route
The vehicle appears to have dislodged a piece of roofing on a house during the crash. It is unclear why the vehicle was not on its normal route
The video showed the crash from multiple angles – as the bright red people mover was seen crashed into the house, mounted on the pavement.
It appeared to have struck and dislodged a piece of roofing on a property in the street. Another angle suggested it was a number 5 bus, which travels through the area via the nearby Barking Road, which is a main road.
It is unclear why the bus was on the residential street. London’s roadworks register does not suggest there were any planned diversions on the route.
Multiple angles of the Southall crash were shared on social media. The shunt is believed to have happened sometime between 5pm and 6pm and decimated the bus stop, which was later seen wrapped up in tape.
The vehicle was dealt heavy damage in the collision, smashing the left side of the front windscreen and splitting open its front bumper.
Chunks of safety glass were seen scattered on the pavement. Despite the crash, the LED display showing future arrivals was still working.
It had been changed to read: ‘Bus stop closed. Please use the next stop or the previous stop to catch your bus.’
A London bus has burst into flames this afternoon with dozens of firefighters rushing to tackle the blaze on a busy high street
Terrifying footage shows huge flames and billowing smoke filling Richmond Road in Twickenham, south west London at 1pm today
The vehicle is the fourth London bus to catch fire this year with similar incidents in Putney on January 25, in North Woolwich on January 12 and in Wimbledon on January 11
The TfL website has been updated to say the bus stop is ‘reporting access issues’. Videos shared on Snapchat suggest the bus was removed from the scene sometime after nightfall.
Meanwhile, a few miles away, huge flames and billowing smoke filled Richmond Road in Twickenham, south west London at around 1pm.
A single decker bus was destroyed in the fire but the driver and passengers were evacuated before emergency services arrived, the London Fire Brigade has said.
The road was remains closed, with people advised to avoid the area for the rest of the day.
Transport for London has confirmed they have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and are working with bus operators, manufacturers, and suppliers to improve safety in the industry.
MailOnline has contacted the transport body for comment on the other incidents.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: ‘Five fire engines and around 30 firefighters tackled a bus fire on Richmond Road in Twickenham.
‘One diesel single decker bus was destroyed by the fire. All passengers and the driver left the bus before the Brigade’s arrival. There are no reports of any injuries.
‘The road remains closed following the incident and people are advised to avoid the area for the rest of the day.
‘The Brigade was called at 1.18pm and the incident was over for firefighters at 2.26pm.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police added: ‘Emergency services were called at 1320hrs on Saturday, 18 May, to a bus on fire in Richmond Road, Twickenham. There were no reported injuries. Enquires continue alongside London Fire Brigade colleagues’
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: ‘Five fire engines and around 30 firefighters tackled a bus fire on Richmond Road in Twickenham. One diesel single decker bus was destroyed by the fire. All passengers and the driver left the bus before the Brigade’s arrival’
A single decker bus was destroyed in the fire but the driver and passengers were evacuated before emergency services arrived, the London Fire Brigade has said
Pictured: The remains of the bus after the huge blaze was put out by firefighters
‘Crews from Twickenham, Richmond, Heston and Kingston fire stations attended the scene.
‘The cause of the fire is under investigation.’
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police added: ‘Emergency services were called at 1320hrs on Saturday, 18 May, to a bus on fire in Richmond Road, Twickenham.
‘There were no reported injuries. Enquires continue alongside London Fire Brigade colleagues.’
MailOnline has contacted Transport for London for comment.