Updated | Bus catches fire in Qrendi

The police today said that a bus "reportedly" caught fire in Qrendi and warned motorists to avoid the roads in the whereabouts.

In a statement issued by the Police on Facebook it said: "Motorists may experience delays in the whereabouts of Saint Mary's Parish Church, Qrendi, after a public bus reportedly caught fire."

Seemingly, the passengers were evacuated from the Arriva bus after its brakes overheated and caught fire.

In a statement, Arriva Malta confirmed that one of its buses encountered a problem of overheating brakes which led to the emition of smoke and steam due to the wet roads.

"While thanking the passing Civil Protection Officers for their prompt assistance, the Company would like to confirm that no fire took place in this incident and the safety of our passengers was never at risk." This summer, 64 Arriva bendy-buses were taken off the roads following three seperate incidents in which the buses caught fire.

Throughout the morning, motorists all over the islands encountered traffic congestions due to the thunderstorm which hit Malta.

The rain slowed traffic down and hundreds of motorists and pupils waiting for their school vans experienced prolonged delays in many areas, including Marsa, Cottonera, Qormi, Attard, Naxxar and Msida.

The Police warned motorists to avoid Valley Road, between Msida and Birkirkara due to floods and advised motorists advised to exercise caution due to slick roads caused by the thunderstorm.