by Lynn Cox

There was not much left of this coach after it caught on fire in Beechings Way, Gillingham, yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

Medway Messenger reader, Mark Owens, took this photograph of firefighters putting out the flames on the Kings Ferry coach.

The fire spread through the back of the vehicle causing the windows to smash.

A crew from Medway fire station was called out to put out the flames at about 7.10pm and spent almost an hour bringing the flames under control.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We think the driver was on his way back to his depot, which is just around the corner.

“He smelt smoke and pulled over to the side of the road and called us.

“When we arrived the fire has taken hold and the windows in the back of the coach had all smashed.

“We used foam to fight the flames from the outside of the vehicle and then after a while sent two firefighters inside to fight the flames.

“It is not known at this stage what caused the fire.”

Thick black smoke could be seen by people who lived in the area including Medway Messenger reader, Alan Collins, of Goudhurst Road.

He said: “As I was walking out of the front door I could see a plume of black smoke coming from the area at the bottom of Eastcourt Lane.

“When I drove down there I saw the coach and got diverted by what looked like the driver.”