A school bus caught fire on Tuesday morning in the Paphos village of Chlorakas, causing alarm among those on board.

The vehicle was moving along Archbishop Makarios Avenue near Georgios Azinas traffic lights at around 6.45am when the blaze broke out.

The driver noticed the fire and managed to stop the bus and get out safely.

No passengers were on board at the time.

Firefighters and police arrived quickly to tackle the flames and control traffic in the area.

The Paphos fire station responded with two fire engines, and the fire was brought under control by 07.08.

The fire spread from the engine compartment to the cabin, leaving the bus with extensive damage.

According to the fire service, the blaze was caused by a mechanical fault, with initial indications suggesting overheating that may have caused one of the rear wheels to lock.

Director of the Paphos transport organisation (Osypa) Andreas Rodosthenous confirmed the bus was purchased by Osypa in 2010, and had undergone a technical inspection around the end of August.

He said the vehicle was fitted with an automatic fire extinguishing system, which activated but was unable to fully put out the blaze, according to the testimony of the driver.

The effectiveness of such a system depends on where and how extensive the fire is.

The organisation’s electromechanical service was also called to the scene and has not yet completed its investigation into the exact cause.

Rodosthenous stressed that all school buses, as well as the rest of the fleet, undergo the required checks without exception.