Putney bus fire: Safety checks for 400 electric buses after blaze

Bus operator Go-Ahead is carrying out safety checks on almost 400 electric buses after one was involved in a fire in south-west London.

The bus caught fire at Putney bus garage, Chelverton Road, on Wednesday morning. No-one was injured and the cause is being investigated.

A letter to staff from Go-Ahead says a "precautionary" check of about 380 electric buses had begun to "ensure our continued confidence in them".

Go-Ahead declined to comment.

London Fire Brigade said two fire engines from Fulham and Tooting Fire Stations attended the scene of the fire, which involved a route 256 bus.

The brigade said about 20 people had left the building before firefighters arrived, adding the fire was extinguished shortly afterwards and the bus was left partially damaged.

In a staff letter from Go-Ahead, which has been posted to X (formerly Twitter) multiple times, the company says the fire is being investigated, adding: "We are committed to establishing the cause of this fire and learning from it."

It reads: "Events of the kind that took place today, inside our premises, are very rare."

A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said: "Putney bus garage was partially closed following a fire on a bus.

"No one was on board the bus at the time and it was extinguished quickly. An investigation into the incident is now taking place."

TfL said the fire was not believed to be linked to another blaze involving an electric bus in Wimbledon earlier this month.

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