The bus engulfed in flames was slammed by Echo reader Laura Aubin after the incident closed the main road causing a seven-mile queue.
The fire caused heavy traffic on the eastbound freeway with people abandoning their vehicles to watch the fire.
Bus burns on A31 at Stoney Cross. Photo: Laura Aubin
Hampshire Constabulary tweeted: “A31 eastbound closed opposite Stoney Cross services due to bus fire, one lane likely to reopen in approx 40 minutes. Updates to follow.”
Laura said: (There is) a City Red double decker bus burning on the A31 at Stoney Cross.
“There’s a lot of traffic and people are getting out of their vehicles.”
@Bournemouthecho bus on fire, spreading to trees. North near a stone cross. Anyone leaving Bournemouth finds an alternative route. pic.twitter.com/Potl3TJQLn
— Dee Morecroft (@Dillymork) September 3, 2022
ROAD CLOSURE – A31 EAST. It is closed on the A31 eastbound opposite the Stoney Cross services due to a bus fire, one lane likely to reopen in around 40 minutes. Updates to come. pic.twitter.com/6GSorcv2Jc
— Hampshire Roads Policing Unit (@HantsPolRoads) September 3, 2022
Police closed the road to traffic as crews brought the fire under control.
Officers confirmed there were no injuries and the fire was out by 8pm.
UPDATE – Fire is out, no injuries. @HantsIOW_fire @DWFireRescue are now making the scene safe in preparation for the opening of the second lane. ETA 30 minutes
— Hampshire Roads Policing Unit (@HantsPolRoads) September 3, 2022
— Hampshire Roads Policing Unit (@HantsPolRoads) September 3, 2022
After the road was cleared, one lane reopened at 9 p.m.
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