Wimbledon bus fire: Police declare critical incident as flames engulf electric vehicle with 'loud bang' heard
Emergency services attended the scene
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A 'critical incident' has been declared after an electric bus was engulfed in flames in London.
Shocking photos show the blaze engulfing part of the road in Wimbledon after the street had been cordoned off.
It is not yet known if anyone has been injured.
Officers from the Metropolitan police have advised people to avoid the area this morning.
Wimbledon Hill Road in South West London was closed this morning
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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 said they are unsure of the exact cause of the fire.
Delays are expected to be in place throughout the entire morning.
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Flames engulfed the bus in Wimbledon
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A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 07:23hrs on Thursday, 11 January 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."
A spokesperson from 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 0721. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Wimbledon, New Malden and Wandsworth fire stations are at the scene."
TFL's head of buses business development Tom Cunnington said: "Safety is our top priority and we are working with the operator, London General, and the bus manufacturer, Switch, to investigate what happened. The bus was quickly evacuated and there are no reported injuries."
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