Pupils have been evacuated from a school bus after it was “destroyed” in a fire on the A90 between Inchture and Errol.
Everyone managed to get off the Stagecoach double-decker safely, as it was engulfed with flames shortly after 8am on Thursday.
Youngsters were taken to a nearby golf centre, while the road was shut in both directions as firefighters brought the blaze under control.
The bus was heading towards Perth High School when the fire started.
A video from the scene (above) shows large flames and smoke billowing from the vehicle.
Long queues built up in the area, with carriageway being closed in both directions.
The road has now been reopened after nearly seven hours of full and partial closure.
CLEAR✅ ⌚️14:32#A90– INCHTURE
All lanes now running in both directions at Inchture👍#TakeCare @NETrunkRoads
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) March 24, 2022
Patrick Hanlan, who was driving behind the bus when it caught fire, said: “It’s totally destroyed, there’s nothing left of it.
“They got all the kids off before the fire.
“As I was driving up the A90 I could see the smoke.”
Angus Forbes, a councillor for the Carse of Gowrie, said: “Thankfully all children were evacuated to safety in the local golf centre and I want to thank the driver for making sure that happened, as well as the owners of the golf centre for providing safety for the children.
“A replacement bus has been arranged to collect the children.”
Kenny Farquharson, owner of the nearby Horn restaurant, said: “At this moment the carriageway is blocked – total gridlock.
“The firies have been coming up to the restaurant for water because there’s not enough there.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach East Scotland said: “We can confirm one of our vehicles operating a contract on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council has been involved in an incident on the A90 this morning.
“There are no reported injuries and all passengers were safely evacuated from the vehicle.
“Passengers are being transferred to an alternative service to get to their destination.
“Safety is our number one priority and we will be assisting the investigation into the circumstances involved.
“We are very proud of our driver who reacted quickly and professionally to the situation.”
Council confirms no one injured
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that one of the school buses heading to Perth High School was involved in an incident on the A90 this morning.
“All pupils and the driver were safely evacuated from the bus to a safe place and we can confirm there are no injuries.
“A replacement bus was organised and the pupils have been transported to the school.”
A police spokesperson added: “Officers received report of a bus on fire on the A90 near Errol between Dundee and Perth around 9.50am on Thursday.
“The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and no one was injured. One lane remains closed on the A90 westbound.”
