A single decker bus burst into flames yesterday evening in a residential street in Beckenham.

Flames were seen engulfing the back of the 162 bus after it caught fire in Wickham Road shortly after 7.30pm.

The driver was reportedly forced to flee from the bus, before the emergency services were called.

One onlooker tweeted that the bus "blew up" outside his home.

After being closed for emergency services, Wickham Road reopened and the 162 buses returned to the normal route at around 9.45pm.

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The bus fire in Wickham Road. (c.) Kent 999s/@Andylewis440

Eyewitness Alfie Lewis, 16, told News Shopper: "I just saw smoke drift past my door and a small fire coming from the back end of the bus.

"The driver and anybody especially close to the bus backed away as when the fire was at its worst, I think most people feared that pieces were going to begin flying off."

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The Met Police confirmed no-one had been injured in the blaze.

A spokesman for the force said the flames were quickly extinguished by the fire brigade.

Did you see what happened? Contact the newsdesk by email - jessica.bell@london.newsquest.co.uk.