Drivers using the A19 through Thornaby on Tuesdays evenings rush hour were faced with chaos after a bus caught fire forcing the total closure of the key Teesside route

Motorist were faced with severe delays as a result of the incident close to the A1130 Mandale Junction on Tuesday evening

Cleveland Fire Brigade Statement  

A spokeperson for the Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “We were called to a bus on fire at 6.30pm. We dispatched three fire appliances – from Stockton, Thornaby and Coulby.

“The incident was on the A19 northbound, just before the Teesside Park slip road. 

“All persons were accounted for. There weren’t any injuries or casualties. 

“We used three hose reel jets and three breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire.”

Traffic was held just before the A1130 Ackalm Road exit with traffic allowed to leave the A19 and rejoin via the entry slip road.

There was also a traffic collision on the A19 Northbound as a result of the congestion just after the A174 Parkway near Ingleby Barwick which involved two vehicles emergency services also attended that scene.