Paul Titcomb says he repeatedly phoned the Konect Bus depot for assistance as the vehicle burned between Norwich and Dereham, with evacuated passengers left waiting on the roadside in 31C heat.

The 68-year-old says the blaze – which broke out at about 5.25pm on July 1 – has raised questions over passenger safety.

Paul Titcomb. (Image: Harry Jackaman-Pegg)

Mr Titcomb, who is retired but had continued driving buses two days a week until the fire, said he fears a less experienced driver might not have known how to respond in the same situation.

He said: "I was driving along and got a violent shake in my steering wheel and immediately thought there was a puncture. So I thought I'd get to the other side of the Easton roundabout and get into a layby and see what's going on.

"At that moment, a white van went past, and someone was leaning out the window and shouted, 'you're on fire, mate'.

A fire ripped through the bus. (Image: Supplied)

"From my position as the driver, I did not receive any dashboard warning or indication relating to a fire suppression system before being alerted by a member of the public.

"Thankfully, no one was injured. My priority throughout was, and always will be, the safety of my passengers."

He then called the depot three times in a row at 5.26pm, but received no answer.

Peter Nathanail, managing director of Konect Bus, has stressed that bus drivers........

© Norwich Evening News