Manchester City supporters coach 'started smoking' on M6 Toll moments before flames erupted

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Fans faced a tough task getting to Wembley

Wembley-bound Manchester City fans were evacuated from their coach after the vehicle began 'smoking' on the M6 Toll, moments before huge flames erupted. The motorway has been closed southbound for almost four hours between junctions two and four, in Warwickshire, after the vehicle burst into flames earlier today (March 22).

Images showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the coach as firefighters worked at the scene, while City fans watched on from the side of the road. Ridleys Coaches, which owned the bus, confirmed no one was injured and alternative transport was being arranged so fans could reach the League Cup final against Arsenal.

Speaking from his replacement coach, City fan Finlay Dunbar, 19, described the moment fans first realised something was wrong on board the bus. "It started off as our coach was smoking at the toll station," he told the Manchester Evening News.

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"After we headed through we slowed down a lot. None of us had any idea what was going on. Our driver pulled us over to the hard shoulder and we were driving on there for five minutes until eventually stopping.

"After we stopped a big plume of smoke came out the engine and we all went off the coach. After that the engine kept on deteriorating as it set fire. The coach then was slowly engulfed in flames."

Devastating images showed the charred shell of the coach left behind after the fire had been tackled. One lane of traffic was opened to allow vehicles stuck on the M6 Toll to pass through, but the motorway remains closed to other motorists.

One supporter, who was stuck on another coach behind the inferno, said: "We have just started moving after a one-and-a-half hour wait.

"The burnt out coach was just a blackened shell, but no one hurt. We were already running late as coaches arrived late at the Etihad, so no service stops all the way to London. There is a tiny loo on our coach for number ones only."

National Highways said the stretch of M6 Toll would remain closed for recovery and a clear-up operation this afternoon, after the fire was extinguished. Details on the cause of the fire are yet to be confirmed.

A spokesperson for Ridleys Coaches said: "We can confirm an incident occurred involving one of our coaches on the M6 Toll southbound earlier today. All passengers and the driver were safely evacuated with no injuries.

"We are grateful to the emergency services for their swift response. The coach was carrying fans to the Carabao Cup final, and the passengers are all safely on replacement coaches to the stadium. We are working with authorities to understand the circumstances and will provide further updates as appropriate."