A public bus carrying dozens of passengers burst into flames in Hongkou District during rush hour yesterday morning, causing traffic chaos.
No one was injured and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The blaze happened at 8:30am when the No. 142 bus traveling from west to east passed intersection of Guanglingsi and Liangcheng roads.
Witnesses said flames leapt from the engine to the front of the vehicle, followed by heavy black smoke.
"The driver opened the doors, urged us to leave, and then began trying to put out the fire with an extinguisher," said a passenger.
"But he was helpless against the out-of-control fire that destroyed the bus within minutes."
Firemen from local Fire Control Brigade received the emergency call at 8:34am and the blaze was extinguished about 10 minutes later.
"The fire caused a severe traffic jam, forcing us to make a detour. Otherwise, we could have reached the scene three to four minutes earlier," said a fire fighter who did not want to be identified.
"Traffic usually reaches a peak at this time, and it became even worse yesterday morning."