BELLEVUE, Wash. -- A privately operated bus caught fire and burned up on the side of state Route 520 Thursday afternoon, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

The fire blocked the high occupancy vehicle lane of westbound 520 near Bellevue Way Northeast and caused backups around 2:05 p.m. Thursday.

The passengers got off the bus safely.

All lanes are open but backups remain as drivers look at the burned-out hulk.

Merrill Gardens Northgate retirement home had operated the bus, which was destroyed.

There is no word on what caused the fire.

No injuries were reported.