A COACH transporting passengers to Heathrow Airport burst into flames along a road in Redbourn today (Tuesday). The National Express vehicle was travelling along the B487 Hemel Hempstead Road when the driver raised the alarm and evacuated the passengers o

A COACH transporting passengers to Heathrow Airport burst into flames along a road in Redbourn today (Tuesday).

The National Express vehicle was travelling along the B487 Hemel Hempstead Road when the driver raised the alarm and evacuated the passengers on the bus at around 11am.

The coach was soon engulfed in flames, leaving around 30 passengers stranded at the side of the road.

A police spokesperson said that the road was closed between the junction with Shenley Road and the roundabout with the St Albans Road while recovery takes place.

St Albans fire station watch commander Paul Farrow said: "The coach was on its way to the airport when one of the passengers smelt smoke so the driver stops and gets everyone off and unloads all of the luggage, then the flames started coming out of the roof. When we arrived the roof of the coach was fully involved in fire and the inside was full of black smoke."

It is thought that the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the cabling running through the overhead locker space.

Watch commander Farrow praised the actions of the driver and said: "The driver was very good, he got everyone off the coach quickly. His quick actions also saved all of the luggage; it was a really good effort.