SAN FRANCISCO—At around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, a double-decker tour bus drove past Sunshine Liquors unaware that the back of the bus had caught fire and was smoking. Worker Senait Weldetensae and another witness chased the bus down to alert the driver and passengers to get their attention.

According to witness Vasken Farajian, owner of Coffee Cantata, there were approximately 35 to 40 passengers, most of which were senior citizens.

All passengers were evacuated safely, but by the time 911 was called and was able to respond, the rear of the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. Five rigs and 14 firefighters assisted in extinguishing the fire which was contained around 11:30 a.m. just east of Golden Gate Park. The cause of the fire remains unknown and the Big Bus Tour Company has yet to comment on the situation.