Road tunnel closed after bus fire

The bus was completely destroyed

Part of a road tunnel has been shut after fire ripped through a bus.

The double-decker was in the Limehouse Link tunnel, east London, when it broke down and a fire started in the engine.

The driver, who was heading towards Upton Park bus depot after the night shift, escaped before flames engulfed and destroyed the bus.

Transport for London (TfL) said the westbound carriageway had reopened, but the eastbound carriageway could remain shut for at least two days.

A TfL spokesman said engineers were trying to move the bus so they could assess the extent of the damage.

Severe delays

From the scene BBC reporter Anna O'Neil described how the intensity of the fire had caused the bus to melt into the road surface and said the road would have to be completely resurfaced.

Drivers have been warned to expect severe delays in the surrounding area and the nearby Blackwall Tunnel.

The Limehouse Link Tunnel connects central London with the Docklands.

London Fire Brigade said at about 0620 GMT on Sunday the bus was a short way into the tunnel when the driver pulled over and noticed smoke coming from the engine.

After getting out his cab to take a closer look, the engine caught fire and the flames soon engulfed the entire vehicle.