Bus catches fire, hits 5 shops

MANILA, Philippines - A bus caught fire and rammed into five shops along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City Thursday night.

Driver Leo Mayo and his conductor had the passengers of the Fermina bus get off so they could inspect what was wrong with the engine. While a mechanic was examining the bus, they noticed that the muffler was in flames at around 10 p.m., Fire Officer 2 Jovelyn Panganiban said.

As the flames spread, the bus rolled backwards, hitting the shops and an Elf truck. Authorities said the flames were put out just before 11 p.m.

However, the driver had fled and could no longer be found. Around P5 million worth of properties were gutted by the flames.