An Arriva bus which developed a mechanical fault caught fire as a result this evening in Spinola, St Julian's.

Contacted, a police spokesman said that no one was injured. The bus was carrying a number of passengers at the time of the incident.

Today's incident is not an isolated one. Back in March, a 16-year-old boy was slightly injured when an Arriva route bus caught fire in Zejtun.

In May, an Arriva driver noticed smoke exiting from the rear of the vehicle and drove the bus to a place outside the University of Malta where passengers could exit safely.

The driver had informed the Arriva control room who in turn alerted members of the Civil Protection Department.