Old Arriva buses burst into flames in San Gwann scrapyard

Three bendy buses by former public transport operator Arriva caught fire at around noon today in a San Gwann scrapyard.

Members of the Civil Protection Department as well as police officers were dispatched to the Tal-Balal site, close to Aria nightclub, to control the fire and assess the situation.

It is not yet clear how the fire was ignited.

Thick, dark smoke was observed from various locations around Malta, including Mellieha and Zonqor, and also from Gozo.

Arriva had made the decision to take the bendy buses off the roads in August 2013 following seven incidents of buses catching fire.

Arriva was later replaced by a Spanish service provider which now runs Malta Public Transport. 

Thick, black plumes of smoke were observed from various locations round Malta

Thick, black plumes of smoke were observed from various locations round Malta