A BUS carrying 25 schoolchildren was left a smouldering wreck after it was destroyed by fire on the school run.
The blaze tore through the vehicle shortly after it set out from rural Wold Newton in East Yorks on Tuesday afternoon.
A fellow motorist spotted smoke pouring from the back seats and signalled to the driver to pull over.
All the pupils and adults on board escaped unhurt after the bus door was pulled open manually.
The East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) bus had been transporting pupils to Burton Fleming, East Yorks., when the fire broke out.
Within 15 minutes the bus was almost completely destroyed as two fire engine crews fought the flames.
Speaking about the horror as it unfolded, a passenger, who did not wish to be named, said: "The bus started smoking from the rear seats and someone had to tell the driver to stop as the bus filled with smoke.
"The doors had to be opened manually and within 15 minutes all four tyres had burst and the bus was engulfed in flames.
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The passenger added: "Dozens of children were on the bus at the time of the incident."
Humberside Fire and Rescue confirmed all passengers were evacuated safely from the vehicle, and another bus was tasked with taking the children home.
Firefighters managed to put out the blaze before 5pm - leaving all but a charcoal-coloured frame.
EYMS chief executive Peter Shipp said the bus driver carried out all the necessary evacuation procedures.
Mr Shipp said: "We spoke to the driver - he says there were between 20 and 25 pupils on the bus.
"As soon as someone came to the front of the bus and said he smelt smoke, the driver checked his mirror to see if he could see anything.
"He could see smoke coming from the rear side so he immediately stopped at this point - I have no reason to disbelieve him.
"The young people began getting off the bus in a very orderly fashion - he assures us there was no panic."
Mr Shipp, who stated that the incident was extremely rare, said: "The last time I saw something come anywhere close to that was in the early 1980s. What was the cause of this? I have no idea.
"The fire brigade will conduct an investigation and the DVSA will no doubt want to check the vehicle.
"We have very regular, thorough checks. Every four weeks, our buses are inspected. They have a complete, full annual inspection."
Mr Shipp confirmed the bus' last successful annual inspection took place four to five weeks ago.
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