Updated | Bus destroyed in fire, investigation launched

Photos taken by PS 343 and PC 1431

A route bus was completely gutted out when it caught fire in Burmarrad. No passengers were aboard.

The incident happened at around 3pm on Monday afternoon. It is believed that the bus formed part of the previous yellow fleet.

According to media reports, the fire originated from a short circuit in the battery.

Members of the Civil Protection Department were called on site to control the blaze which spread quickly.

All that remains of the bus is its frame.

The Malta Public Transport has launched an immediate investigation into the incident and a magisterial inquiry has also been ordered and is underway.

The incident happened at approximately 3pm when the bus was not in service and had no passengers on board.

When the driver noticed something had happened, he parked the bus on the side of the road in line with practised safety norms.

Officials from Malta Public Transport, Civil Protection Department and the Police were immediately on site to control the situation and the road was closed to traffic. 

The Malta Pulic Transport confirmed the bus was a refurbished Volvo Sarakakis, which was in use before the introduction of Arriva.

The other buses of this type have since been taken off the road for inspections and preventive checks to be carried out overnight.

The driver was not injured but was treated for smoke inhalation and has since been discharged.

"It is very embarrassing for us to have to face a situation like this in the third week since we took over the service. At this stage we are doing everything necessary to understand exactly why this happened and what must be done to prevent similar incidents," Malta Public Transport said. "We strongly believe safety is critical to improving the credibility of our service and therefore it is our priority to address it."