Dramatic pictures show the aftermath of a bus after it caught fire.

The incident happened outside of Bowes Lyon Court retirement home in Poundbury yesterday evening (23).

It is not believed that anyone was injured in the fire.

Nathan Billings saw the First Wessex bus when it caught fire.

He said that everyone managed to get off when it started smoking from the engine.

Mr Billings also managed to capture a video of the bus engulfed in flames as firefighters worked to extinguish it.

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said they were called at 5.14pm.

She said: "It was a single decker bus fire and it was extinguished using two hose reel jets. Breathing apparatus was also used.

"Two appliances from Dorchester were sent to the scene and 25 per cent of the bus was destroyed."

Dorset Police were also called to the scene to assist with traffic control.

A First Wessex spokesman said: “We can confirm one of our vehicles suffered a technical malfunction which caused a small fire in the engine bay at the rear of the vehicle.

"Our driver spotted it at an early stage and took decisive action, ensuring all passengers were evacuated to a safe location before there was any risk of harm.

"We would like to reassure passengers that our vehicles are maintained to the highest standards and these type of incidents are extremely rare.  The company will carry out a full investigation to establish the cause of the malfunction.”

He added: “We would like to thank the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue for their quick response, and apologise to passengers for the delay to their journey.”