M2 Belfast: Fire service puts out bus blaze on motorway

Image source, Caleb Ruddock

Image caption, The fire was on the M2 motorway

Firefighters have dealt with a bus fire on the M2 motorway.

The fire, on a Goldline bus, was on the Belfast-bound lane, near the turnoff for Antrim Area Hospital.

The fire is believed to have started accidentally and none of the 23 passengers or the driver was injured, according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

The M2 southbound has reopened after being closed between junctions six and seven.

In a statement, Translink said action was taken after the driver of the Londonderry to Belfast bus noticed smoke at the rear of the vehicle at about 14:20 BST.

"He quickly implemented emergency procedures, safely evacuated the bus and called the fire service, who extinguished the fire. No one was injured," Translink said.

The coach has been recovered and a technical investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

Image caption, The bus was destroyed in the blaze

Fire Service Group Commander Geoff Summerville said four fire appliances were sent to the scene.

He said the fire was believed to be due to "accidental ignition".