Students being driven to school had to be evacuated after their bus burst into flames on the A14.

Hedingham & Chambers has confirmed one of its fleet was involved in a blaze which shut part of the A14 in west Suffolk on Wednesday morning.

Pictures from the scene show the bus was destroyed by the flames, with much of it having been left scorched and ripped apart. 

The blaze took hold on Wednesday morningThe blaze took hold on Wednesday morning (Image: Jasmine Parker)

All passengers were evacuated from the vehicle, it was confirmed.

"We acknowledge that there was a fire which occurred on a Hedingham & Chambers bus this morning whilst travelling along the A14," a spokesman said on Wednesday afternoon.

"All passengers were safely disembarked from the bus and led to wait in a safe place whilst a replacement bus was provided. We are working with the local authorities on this matter. "

Police shut the A14 in both directions while Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the blaze. 

Both carriageways eventually reopened just before 10am. 

Appliances from Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket fire stations attended the blaze.