Fire destroys 21 vehicles at Kev’s Coaches
Operator will ‘rise from the ashes like a phoenix’
A fire has destroyed 16 buses and five coaches from Kev’s Cars and Coaches’ fleet.
The blaze began on the night of 11 March at the operator’s Bromsgrove depot. No one was reported hurt during the fire.
Ten appliances from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Services attended the scene, along with multiple specialist vehicles.
The bulk of the company’s coaches are parked separately from the bus fleet, so damage to those has been avoided. Its depot buildings have also escaped destruction. Unfortunately, the company’s bus wash has been destroyed by the flames.
Bus Services Manager, Des Rogers, said that at the time of writing, it is understood that the fire and rescue service is conducting investigations into the cause of the fire to put together a formal report for the insurance company.
Early indications from CCTV footage suggest an electrical fault caused the flames. Des said that as soon as smoke started rising from the initial vehicle, fire soon took hold after about ten minutes.
“We are absolutely gutted” – Bus Services Manager, Des Rogers
Des said: “We are absolutely gutted. I have been in the industry for 55 years and never in my whole experience have I been in anything like this.”
Des reports the company’s home to school services it is contracted to run for Worcestershire County Council have been completed this morning (14 March 2022), thanks to the help of the Green Bus Company who lent a bus. None of its bus services are running today as a result of its fleet loss, but Des believes with the help of vehicles from fellow operators a full service will be run tomorrow.
Des said: “The support we have had from the industry for us through this makes you proud to be a part of it. We are grateful to Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue, they have been absolutely excellent.
“We will rise from the ashes like a phoenix.”
The family-run business was set up in 1975.