A quick-thinking mother shielded children when a bus they were onboard of erupted in flames.

Smoke was seen billowing from a 30-seater school bus in Wilton Way, Hackney on Friday (January 20).

Firefighters were called at 8.13am and the incident was over by 9.20am, but six vehicles were damaged in the “huge” blaze.

Cllr Caroline Woodley, cabinet member for families, parks and leisure, called the incident “distressing”.

Addressing the situation in a public statement, she revealed that a mother of one of the primary school children took the people on board into their homes, shielding them from the sight of the fire.

Hackney Gazette: An image showing the extent of the damage of the Hackney bus on fireAn image showing the extent of the damage of the Hackney bus on fire (Image: PA)

Cllr Woodley said: “The safety of all those involved is our priority and we are offering support to the children and their families, passenger assistants and the driver.

“We will also reach out to anybody in the wider community who may have been impacted by the incident.”

She added: “We are hugely relieved that nobody was harmed in this incident but we are obviously very concerned by what has happened.

“I would like to assure all users of Hackney Council transport and parents of children who travel on buses to schools in the borough that a thorough investigation is being launched by the council and the fire brigade to establish the cause of the fire.”

Hackney Gazette: Six vehicles were damaged from the fireSix vehicles were damaged from the fire (Image: PA)

The councillor said it is believed that the incident was isolated, but an inspection of the cause will still continue.

The statement also assured that the buses are “maintained to a very high standard” and “rigorous safety inspections” are conducted every 10 weeks.

All other buses will be reassessed next week following the incident.

Cllr Woodley said: "I want to thank the mother and the council staff whose swift actions today ensured the safety and wellbeing of the children. 

“My thanks also goes to the London Fire Service who arrived quickly on the scene to extinguish the fire."