A bus fire broke out in front of St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church on Longbridge Road, Barking on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a rapid emergency response that prevented the incident from escalating further.

Thick smoke was seen issuing from the rear of the vehicle, which had come to a halt directly outside the church. The incident has caused serious damage to the bus, but was swiftly brought under control by fire crews.
Firefighters on the Scene
Emergency services were quickly deployed, and firefighters tackled the blaze before it could spread further. No injuries have been reported, and the area was made safe shortly after their arrival.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Witnesses praised the fast response of the London Fire Brigade, which prevented a potentially more serious incident in a busy public area.

Traffic Disruption and Public Safety
The fire led to temporary traffic disruption on Longbridge Road, with diversions and delays reported in the immediate area.
Authorities have urged drivers to avoid the route while the damaged vehicle is recovered and the scene is cleared.