Key Points
- Lothian Buses vehicle caught fire on South Clerk Street in Edinburgh at around 7.24pm on Monday evening.
- Rear of single-decker bus became engulfed in flames, with fire crews extinguishing the blaze by shortly before 8.30pm.
- No casualties reported; Lothian Buses apologising and conducting full investigation into cause.
- Incident caused traffic disruption with South Clerk Street closed and diversions in place.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) February 10, 2026 – Lothian Buses is investigating after one of its single-decker vehicles burst into flames in the city centre on Monday evening.
The fire broke out just before 7.30pm on South Clerk Street, with the rear part of the bus engulfed in flames, according to STV News reporting. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews from Tollcross and McDonald Road stations attended the scene at 7.24pm and extinguished the blaze without any reported casualties.
What happened during the Edinburgh bus fire?
Pictures from the scene show fire crews tackling the blaze as flames tore through the rear of the vehicle. The incident led to the closure of South Clerk Street while emergency services managed the situation, with diversions implemented to ease traffic flow in the area.
As reported by STV News, a spokesperson for Lothian Buses confirmed the incident and stated a full investigation is under way to establish the circumstances.
How did emergency services respond?
Two fire engines responded promptly to the call at 7.24pm, and crews departed the scene shortly before 8.30pm after the fire was extinguished. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed no casualties occurred during the event.
What caused the traffic disruption?
Emergency services presence at South Clerk Street resulted in temporary road closures and diversions, impacting local traffic on Monday evening. Lothian Buses extended apologies to those inconvenienced by the disruption.
What is known about the investigation?
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, with Lothian Buses thanking the fire service for their swift response. A spokesperson emphasised the company’s commitment to understanding the full circumstances of the incident.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses, according to reports from STV News.
