‘Deliberate’ bus fire leaves six people dead and five injured after ‘man doused himself in petrol’

A BUS fire has left six people dead and five injured in Switzerland after a man reportedly doused himself in petrol and set himself alight on board.

The horror unfolded in Kerzers, in Switzerland’s Fribourg canton, when a coach carrying passengers suddenly went up in flames.

Eyewitnesses alleged a man set himself on fire inside the bus moments before the blaze erupted, though police have not confirmed those claims.

Cops said the deadly blaze broke out at around 6.25pm on Tuesday.

Reports they received said a person had doused themselves with petrol, but they could not confirm that.

Fribourg canton police added: “Several people were injured and several people died.

“Emergency services are currently responding. The causes are not yet known.”

Fire crews, police and medics rushed to the scene as the bus was rapidly swallowed by flames.

Shocking scene footage shows the vehicle completely gutted, with towering flames shooting several metres into the air and thick smoke billowing.

Police have sealed off the area and warned residents to stay away.

By the time firefighters reached the scene, the bus had been reduced to little more than a burnt-out shell.

Emergency services remain on site treating victims and securing the area as investigators work to determine what sparked the deadly blaze.

According to local outlet Blick, three of the five injured were rushed to the hospital, whilst the other two were treated at the scene. 

The injured have all been identified but the dead have not yet been.

The Swiss President commentd on social media after the tragedy, saying: “It distresses and saddens me that once again people in Switzerland have lost their lives in a severe fire.

“The circumstances are being investigated. To the relatives of the deceased from Kerzers, I extend my condolences. And I think of the injured and the rescue workers.”