Shocked motorists on northbound Interstate 405 watched in disbelief Wednesday morning as a Sound Transit bus burst into flames near the Interstate 90 interchange.
About two dozen passengers fled from the burning bus, and everyone was able to escape safely. No injuries were immediately reported.
As the passengers and bus driver huddled at the edge of the freeway, flames engulfed the bus, billowing into the predawn darkness.
Firefighters and state troopers responded to the scene at about 6:45 a.m., and were able to extinguish the flames.
A Sound Transit spokesperson said the bus was on Route 566, heading from Auburn to Overlake. A replacement bus arrived about a half-hour later to pick up the stranded passengers.
The Washington State Patrol says it appears the fire may have started at a rear tire, but the Sound Transit spokesperson said that has not been confirmed.
Witnesses said the entire back end of the bus was just a skeleton after the fire.
The ramp from northbound I-405 to west I-90 is blocked, along with one northbound lane, and traffic is moving very slowly through the area. Motorists are advised to use I-5 northbound during the morning commute.