COMMUTERS have been advised to avoid Wimbledon Hill this morning after an electric bus burst into flames.
A police spokesperson said, "Please avoid the area of Wimbledon Hill Road this morning.
"There will be congestion as the road is blocked off in both south and northbound directions."
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade added, “Firefighters have been called to a fire involving a bus on Wimbledon Hill Road in Wimbledon.
“Part of a double-decker electric bus is alight. A 25-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution and road closures are in place. There are currently no reports of any injuries. The Brigade was called at 7.21am Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Wimbledon, New Malden and Wandsworth fire stations are at the scene.”
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
Today, 11:50 By Henry Moore
More snaps from this morning's blaze
Here are some more images from today's fire in Wimbledon:
Credit: Alamy Live News.
Credit: Alamy Live News.
Credit: Alamy Live News.
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Today, 11:20 By Henry Moore
What caused the fire?
No official cause has been given for the blaze that engulfed an electric bus in Wimbledon this morning.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “Firefighters have been called to a fire involving a bus on Wimbledon Hill Road in Wimbledon.
“Part of a double-decker electric bus is alight. A 25-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution and road closures are in place. There are currently no reports of any injuries.
“The Brigade was called at 7.21am Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Wimbledon, New Malden and Wandsworth fire stations are at the scene.”
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Today, 10:51 By Henry Moore
'Didn't look like a small fire'
One commuter has said today's blaze did not look like a "small fire."
"I was driving to work and driving down Wimbledon Village when I saw all the cars turning back," a commuter told The Metro.
"After a couple of minutes further down the road I saw a fire that looked like it was coming from the bus.
"The smell was very strong and it didn’t look like a small fire.
"When I took another road to get to work, I drove past the road that the police have completely shut down with a couple of NHS vehicles at the scene."
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Today, 10:35 By Henry Moore
Latest pics show massive damage to electric bus
The newest snaps of the electric bus that burst into flames in Wimbledon have been revealed.
They can be seen at the link below:
HORROR BLAZE Dramatic bang as electric bus erupts into flames sparking rush-hour chaos
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Today, 10:23 By Henry Moore
Local MP warns of congestion
Stephen Hammond, the MP for Wimbledon, has warned traffic will continue to be affected following today's electric bus blaze.
Writing on X, he said, "Emergency services are dealing with an ongoing incident with a bus in Wimbledon Town Centre.
"Please be aware that journeys may take longer than usual."
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Today, 10:11 By Henry Moore
Wimbledon bus confirmed as electric
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: "Firefighters have been called to a fire involving a bus on Wimbledon Hill Road in Wimbledon.
"Part of a double-decker electric bus is alight. A 25-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution and road closures are in place. There are currently no reports of any injuries.
"The Brigade was called at 7.21am Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Wimbledon, New Malden and Wandsworth fire stations are at the scene."
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Today, 10:03 By Henry Moore
Bus fire leads to traffic build-up
Congestion is building up in Wimbledon following an electric bus blaze earlier in the day.
Traffic is building through Wimbledon Village southbound and back to the Broadway northbound.
In the last hour, officials confirmed the bus in question was electric.
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Today, 09:52 By Louis Allwood
Police full statement
A police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 7.23am on Thursday, to reports of a bus on fire at Wimbledon Hill/Alwyne Road, SW19.
"Officers, London Fire Brigade [LFB] attended. At the scene a bus had caught fire.
"Road closures and cordons are in place. We expect them to remain for some time. There were no reported injuries.
"We thank the local community for their patience and cooperation as emergency services work at the scene. If possible please avoid the area."
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Today, 09:46 By Louis Allwood
15 firefighters tackled 'electric bus' fire
The London Fire Brigade have said: "Firefighters have been called to a fire involving a bus on Wimbledon Hill Road in Wimbledon."
In a statement to the Metro, they added: "Part of a double-decker electric bus is alight. A 25-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution and road closures are in place. There are currently no reports of any injuries.
"The Brigade was called at 0721. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Wimbledon, New Malden and Wandsworth fire stations are at the scene."
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Today, 09:42 By Louis Allwood
Bus fire under control
Photos show that the Wimbledon bus fire is now under control.
Three fire engines were in attendance after being called out earlier this morning.
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Today, 09:40 By Louis Allwood
Residents urged to close windows
Local residents have been urged to close their windows due to smoke and fire from the blaze.
The fire has caused chaos for those heading to work.
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Today, 09:37 By Louis Allwood
London fire brigade unsure about cause
A spokesperson for the London fire brigade said they were still unsure of the exact cause of the fire.
It is not known if there are any injuries.
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Today, 09:34 By Louis Allwood
Cordon in place
A 25 metre cordon is now in place around the incident.
Drivers are being diverted away from the area.
There is congestion to Wimbledon Hill Road, which was partially blocked, to wimbledon Village southbound ad to the broadway northbound.
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Today, 09:31 By Louis Allwood
Witnesses left 'terrified'
Residents in the area claimed to have heard a "huge bang" before flames engulfed the double decker.
One witness, Max Pashley, told CityAM: "We heard a huge bang. We were terrified."
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Today, 09:28 By Louis Allwood
Police ask public to avoid the area
A police spokesperson said: "Please avoid the area of Wimbledon Hill Road this morning.
"There will be congestion as the road is blocked off in both south and northbound directions."
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Today, 09:23 By Louis Allwood
In pictures: Panic in Wimbledon
Flames were pictured engulfing the vehicle and road this morning.
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Today, 09:20 By Louis Allwood
Cops declare 'critical incident'
Police have declared a "critical incident" in Wimbledon Hill after a bus burst into flames.
London commuters were left in panic after flames erupted from the bus.
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