FOUR children were treated for smoke inhalation after the bus in which they were travelling caught fire.
The youngsters were on a bus operated by Middlesbrough Borough Council when it caught fire on the A66, near Bowes, County Durham, on Saturday afternoon.
The driver of the coach - which was described as old-fashioned - was forced to pull off the road and evacuate the bus when it began filling with smoke.
Firefighters were called to the scene, and when they arrived the children had all been led to safety.
Oxygen was given to four youngsters, who suffered slight smoke inhalation, and the bus was severely damaged by fire.
The children were taken to the Bowes Moor Hotel until Middlesbrough council could send a replacement vehicle.
Inspector Tony Bell, of Durham Police, said: "None of the children were injured, although four were given oxygen."
The fire resulted in a temporary closure of the westbound carriageway of the A66.
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