A bus fire in east China's Hangzhou City on Wednesday was caused by a fire in the battery, the local public security bureau said.

The hybrid electric bus caught fire late on Wednesday afternoon on Wensan Road in downtown Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province.

The driver pulled over after hearing a strange sound coming from the back of the vehicle, according to the local bus group.

Nine people were injured by broken glasses as they escaped the bus, they were taken to hospital.

The fire department received the emergency report at 7:04 p.m. and the fire was put out at 7:22 p.m.