Police hunt suspected arsonist after bus set alight in Dukinfield

Police have launched an investigation after a Stagecoach bus was set alight in Dukinfield last week.

At around 11.45pm on Thursday, August 8, a man started a fire on the top deck of a 330 service, then got off the bus.

It had left Hyde bus station a short time earlier with a few passengers on board and was travelling through Dukinfield towards Ashton.

When the driver noticed the fire he pulled over and the bus was evacuated. The blaze was put out by the fire service but not before causing significant damage to the vehicle.

Officers are treating the incident as arson and are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything around the time of the fire.

The suspected arsonist is described as a white man in his late teens to early 20s. He was wearing a green camouflage jacket, dark-coloured jogging pants and a black headband across his forehead. He was also carrying a black Vans rucksack.

Detective Constable Stephanie Ann Jones of GMP’s Tameside District said: “Thankfully no one was injured in this incident, but they could easily have been. 

“We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness and are appealing for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to get in touch as soon as possible.” 

Details can be reported to police on 0161 856 9216 / 69262 quoting incident number 3642 of 08/08/19. Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.