An overloaded minibus carrying 12 people spontaneously caught fire on the main road of Beijing-Chengde Highway Thursday morning, leaving one dead and nine injured.

A medical staff member works at the site of a minibus fire accident in Beijing, August 13, 2009. [Xinhua]

The accident happened around 6:10 am while the minibus was heading to Beijing.

Two people, the driver and the minibus owner, escaped from the front door. All the 10 passengers were caught in the fire. One was burnt to death and nine were severely injured. All of the passengers are construction workers.

The minibus is allowed to hold seven people at the maximum. Media reports said that overloading led to the self-combustion of the minibus.

The driver and the bus owner were under police investigation.