Motorists were stuck in up to an hour of delays and seven miles of congestion after a bus fire on the A31.
The double decker City Red bus burst into flames on the eastbound carriageway of the major route near to Rufus Stone on Saturday evening.
Fire crews and police closed the road as the blaze spread to gorse on the verge of the dual carriageway.
Read more: Huge delays both ways on A31 due to bus fire and spillage
The eastbound carriageway was closed while fire crews worked. Traffic on the westbound carriageway was also slow.
The delays were compounded by people travelling home from the Bournemouth Air Festival.
@Bournemouthecho bus on fire, spreading to trees. Northbound near stoney cross. Anyone leaving Bournemouth find an alternative route. pic.twitter.com/Potl3TJQLn
— Dee Morecroft (@Dillymork) September 3, 2022
The full closure was lifted but one lane remain shut, with a lane on the westbound carriageway also closed due to a spillage.
A spokesperson for Verwood Fire Station said: "A crew from Verwood along with colleagues from Ringwood, Ferndown and Springbourne mobilised to the A31 at Stoney Cross to a double decker bus on fire.
"Fire was extinguished using 2 hose reel jets and two breathing apparatus.
Crews left the scene at around 2100hr in the hands of the police and highways agency."
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