A dramatic incident unfolded in Munich’s Laim district early Wednesday morning when a public bus of the Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG) caught fire and burned out completely.
Fortunately, all passengers managed to escape unharmed before the flames engulfed the vehicle.
Engine overheats – passengers evacuated moments before fire
According to MVG operations manager Christopher Utz, the articulated bus was operating on line 168 toward Laimer Platz at around 5:45 a.m. when the driver noticed an unusual rise in the engine temperature.
Shortly afterward, a burning smell spread through the cabin. The driver immediately stopped at the Menaristraße stop and instructed all passengers to exit the bus.
He then attempted to cool the overheated engine by adding coolant.
After refilling, he decided to move the bus a short distance to avoid blocking traffic — but only 20 to 30 meters later, the vehicle’s automatic braking system activated as the rear diesel engine caught fire.
In similar cases, said Utz, buses can become fully engulfed in flames within eight to nine minutes. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Driver treated for smoke inhalation
Before firefighters arrived, the driver tried unsuccessfully to extinguish the flames himself using a handheld fire extinguisher. He was later treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and taken to a hospital as a precaution.
According to MVG, no passengers were injured.
Fire spread rapidly – heat damaged nearby buildings
By the time Munich’s fire brigade reached the scene, the bus was already burning intensely.
The flames were so strong that windowpanes of nearby buildings cracked, and metal shutters melted from the radiant heat.
Around 15 windows were reported damaged, but firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control by 7:00 a.m.. Only the charred skeleton of the bus remained.
Street closed – cleanup and investigation underway
The section of Guido-Schneble-Straße where the fire occurred remains closed to traffic.
Authorities must first remove the wreckage using a special heavy-duty tow truck, after which the street will be inspected for heat damage before reopening.
Public transport on bus line 168 has been temporarily rerouted, according to MVG.
Fire investigators from Munich police are now examining the wreck to determine whether a technical defect or electrical malfunction may have triggered the blaze.
