The driver of a bus which suddenly burst into flames has been praised for quickly evacuating six passengers

The Arriva bus suddenly caught fire and was quickly engulfed by the blaze in Cullings Court, Waltham Abbey, at 6.50am.

There were six passengers on the bus as it headed towards King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy in Broomstick Hall Road.

The driver managed to safely evacuate all the passengers and alerted nearby residents to evacuate their homes in case the fire spread.

The blaze was so hot it melted the glass at the bus stop.

Mrs Green, of Cullings Court, praised the ‘brave’ driver.

She said: “It was like something out of Albert Square [in Eastenders].

“I was woken up by the light but when I went to leave my door was red hot.

“The driver was really worried, but very brave.

“He got everyone out and then was banging on all our doors.

“He even moved my neighbours car out of the way in case it caught fire too.

Fire crews from Waltham Abbey, Epping and Cheshunt fire station used two hose reels to extinguish the blaze and spent half-an-hour hosing down to make sure it didn't reignite.

Essex Fire Service said the fire was completely extinguished by 7.26am.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire.