WATCH: A charter bus fire in downtown Victoria brings traffic to a snarl during Wednesday morning’s rush hour. No one was hurt in the blaze. Isabelle Raghem has the details.
Wilson’s Transportation tells CHEK News they will be conducting an internal investigation to find out what caused a bus fire Wednesday morning.
Parts of downtown Victoria was brought to a standstill due to the dramatic blaze. A small charter bus burst into flames around 8:15 a.m. at the intersection of Fort St. and Blanshard St.
“It was totally on fire, like yellow flames everywhere,” a witness told CHEK.
It sent black smoke billowing into the air and was seen across the capital region, says Acting Captain Mike Bourne with the Victoria Fire Department.
“We left number two hall at Superior street and Douglas and we could see the smoke,” says Acting Captain Bourne, “It was really going by the time we got here.”
The spectacle shut down the busy intersection for over an hour and nearby businesses were evacuated as a precaution.
“I thought it was full of people like I had no idea what was going on, it was so scary,” said a witness, “I was told to hold back and that’s when all of a sudden the flames just got bigger and bigger and scarier and scarier.”
“We were told that the fire was near the back of the vehicle and that’s where the fuel tanks are so we were concerned that way,” said Acting Captain Bourne.
Firefighters eventually brought the fire under control, revealing the damage it caused. The bus was left standing by its frame.
“Car fires are common, a van of this size… this is the first time I’ve dealt with something like this,” said Acting Captain Mike Bourne.
The driver was the only person on board at the time. he was shaken and suffered some minor smoke inhalation, but otherwise walked away unharmed.
The Victoria Fire Department is also investigating the fire’s cause.
Isabelle Raghem
