Probe opened after public bus burns to a cinder on Paris street
A blaze destroyed a Paris bus on Tuesday and left plumes of black smoke rising over part of the city center. An investigation has been opened.
Photo: Kenneth Maussang/Twitter
The number 63 bus caught fire at around 9am on Rue des Ecles in the fifth arrondissement of the French capital, shortly after the driver had noted a problem.
He asked the passengers to exit the vehicle before the blaze took hold. No one was injured in the incident but the blaze caused major traffic disruption at rush hour.
Police cordoned off the area around Rues Monge, Rue des Ecoles and Rue Cardinal-Lemoine as a thick cloud of black smoke engulfed the area. Firefighters were called and the flames were under control by around 10am. Residents in nearby flats were told to leave their apartments.
“As for the bus, there’s nothing left but the metal shell. it’s impressive,” said the mayor.
But the mayor wants to know why a bus was able to catch alight and burn so quickly.
“There could have been tragic consequences,” said the mayor. “I demand an investigation be opened.”
