Birmingham Bus Fire: CCTV Released

Police investigating an arson attack which destroyed a £150k bus in Sparkbrook earlier this month have released CCTV images of two boys they want to trace in connection with the inquiry.

It took just minutes for the fire to rip through the top deck of the National Express West Midlands vehicle but passengers were quickly evacuated and nobody was hurt.

Officers have been speaking to witnesses and trawling CCTV footage since the blaze happened on Stratford Road at around 2pm on Thursday 12 June.

PC Chris Burns is leading the investigation and said: "There were 10 people on board who were lucky enough to get away before the fire took hold; we believe it was started after paper was set alight on the back seat of the upper deck.

"I am appealing for anyone who knows the two boys in the images to come forward or for the lads themselves to make contact with me and my team. We know they boarded the bus at Maypole and got off at Stratford Road near to Beach Road."

He added: 'The bus is a write-off but it could have been much worse because lives were put at risk and it's important those responsible are held accountable for their actions.'

Anyone who can assist with the investigation should contact PC Chris Burns on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.