PASSENGERS aboard a number 6 bus were quickly evacuated by the driver when smoke starting pouring from the engine.

Later the rear of the single-decker Arriva bus burst into flames at Springdale Terrace, Wateringbury, neAr Maidstone.

Eye witness Harry Purewal was driving past when the incident happened at 10.15am on Wednesday. He said: "There were flames five feet above the top of the bus and heavy black smoke pouring out.

Two fire crews from Larkfield were quickly on the scene. They had to use breathing apparatus and a hose reel to control the flames, but the fire was out by 10.39am.

Arriva spokeswoman Kate Flynt said: "The driver was quick to evacuate all the passengers to safety and there were no injuries."

The cause of the fire is being investigated.