At least 24 people died in a bus blaze Friday morning in the city of Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, said the provincial work safety supervision bureau.

It was still unclear about the number of the injured, said the bureau, adding that all the injured were sent to the Chengdu No.2 People's Hospital and the Chengdu Army General Hospital.

The accident took place at 8 a.m. when the No.9 was on its way from Tianhui Township to downtown Chengdu, and caught fire under the Chuanshan Viaduct, said Mao Zhiqiong, spokesman with the Chengdu city government, at the scene.


Firefighers and policemen investigate at the spot of a fire broke out on a public bus in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 5, 2009. A fire broke out on the bus, killed at least 24 people on Friday.(Xinhua/Xiao Lin)
He noted that investigation started for the accident cause.

Traffic police told Xinhua that it was not clear whether the accident was caused by self-ignition, and they are waiting for further technical check-ups.

Four injured were sent to the No.2 hospital at about 9 a.m., said Yu Yuanli, director of the hospital nursing department.

"All the four are in very critical condition," said Yu, adding that about 10 stretchers were ready for the injured.

More than 10 people escaped from the No.9 bus, which caught fire near the city zoo, in north Chengdu.

Xinhua's reporter saw dense smoke cover the site, and several ambulances rush to the scene, where there was much evidence of blood.

Source: Xinhua