The aftermath of the Malpas bus blaze  - pics by Chris Tinsley

South Wales Argus:

 

South Wales Argus:

UPDATE: 1.46pm

Newport Transport are claiming the driver was the sole occupant of the bus and that there were "no passengers on the bus at the time".

Scott Pearson, managing director of Newport Transport, said: "The driver dropped his last passenger off and as he approached the lights, he smelt smoke, and stopped the vehicle - he did all the right things. The driver was exemplary."

A spokeswoman for Newport Transport, said: "The driver of the number 18 service became aware of the warning lights as it was heading towards the bus station."

He added the driver immediately stopped the bus and called the emergency services and that the driver was not hurt.

They added a full investigation has been launched.

UPDATE: 12.23pm

Almond Drive is partially blocked due to the bus fire near Harding Avenue.

 

UPDATE: 12.20pm

Gareth Jones, 32, from Caerleon was driving along Almond Drive with his wife Jenny when he saw the stricken bus on fire near the Parc-y-Prior pub in Malpas.

Mr Jones said: "We were just driving down to visit friends when we saw the fire at the back of the bus. "It started at back of the bus then spread right through it.

"I couldn’t believe it, it just shows how unsafe the transport is. "Driving round all day in that heat can’t be great for them."

Mr Jones said people had been on the bus but all got off before it spread and that no one appeared to have been hurt although he said people he’d spoken too seemed a bit a shaken up.

 

UPDATE: 11.50pm

FIREFIGHTERS were called to deal with a burning bus in Malpas this morning. The single decker bus belonging to Newport Bus service was "well alight" by the time a fire crew arrived but firefighters were able to deal with the blaze in just eleven minutes.

South Wales Fire and Rescue received a call at 11.21am and arrived at the scene on Almond Drive, Newport, eight minutes later.

A crew from Malpas deployed two hoses and breathing apparatus. Police also attended the scene. They said the fire was accidental.

A spokesperson for the fire service said the crew did not have to help anyone from the vehicle.