Smoke billows from the stricken double-decker bus

by Emma Grove

The Sheppey Crossing was closed for more than two hours after a bus burst into flames.

The double-decker Travel Masters bus was on its way to Faversham when it lost power at the bottom of the crossing.

The driver tried to reach the top of the crossing so he could roll down the other side, but the fire took hold too quickly.

No one was on board the bus, which was going to Faversham to act as a rail replacement service.

Three fire crews from Sheppey and Sittingbourne were called to the scene after the fire broke out at about 1.30pm Sunday.

Police closed the road at 2pm and it re-opened at about 4.25pm. Drivers were diverted over the Kingsferry Bridge.

Tim Lambkin, who owns Travel Masters, said the company had only bought the bus about five weeks ago.

It is believed an electric fault in the engine compartment caused the blaze.

Mr Lambkin said: "Our main concern is that no one was on board and the driver did everything he could."