Peak hour terror as passenger sets bus on fire in Hangzhou, China

THIS is the moment a man bends down on a crowded public bus and lights a fire, sending terrified passengers into a frenzy.

The fire, which injured 32 people in China"s Hangzhou province, sparked panic among passengers who desperately tried to escape the flames.

Police said the fire, which was ignited by banana oil, was deliberately lit and a man who is accused of starting it was among those injured.

The fire broke out around 5pm on Saturday and was carrying 80 passengers when the man struck near downtown Hangzhou, The People"s Daily reported.

In the footage, a male passenger can be seen bending down and pouring liquid from his backpack onto the floor.

Other passengers look on and begin to panic as they realise what he is about to do and move away from him.

But the flames spread fast, and several people are caught up in the fire as they try to escape.

Some rushed out the front door, others smashed glass trying to get out of the bus.

Police released CCTV footage which shows the man, wearing shorts and slippers, board the bus at the terminal station of Lingyin Temple, a popular tourist attraction.

It is understood police are not treating the fire as a terror-related incident but have yet to release further details about the suspect.