A bus had to be evacuated last night after catching fire while travelling along Craven Road.

The fire broke out in the engine at the back of the bus at about 8.30pm on Thursday, January 31, and the driver evacuated the passengers on board before calling the fire brigade.

Police closed the road, which is opposite the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and the fire was under control in just under an hour.

A spokesman from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 8:32pm on Thursday, 31 January, we received a call to reports of a bus on fire on Craven Road, Reading.

“Crews from Caversham Road and Wokingham Road Fire Station were sent to the scene, alongside an officer.

“Four firefighters in breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire.

“They were on the scene for around 50 minutes.”