28 November 2024

Fire and Rescue crews douse school bus blaze

| Zoe Cartwright
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The remains of a school bus that caught fire in Kiama on Thursday, 28 November. Photo: NSW Fire and Rescue.

UPDATED 2.13PM: The mother of one of the children who was on the school bus that caught alight at Kiama this morning has praised the ‘hero’ bus-driver, Gary.

“I want to publicly thank Gary, who has ensured the safety of my three children as he has taken them to and from school for several years,” she said.

“Everyone knows and loves Gary the bus driver, due to his kindness and friendly nature.

“Your efforts today Gary leave me struggling to find appropriate words of thanks.

“To hear from my daughter how you went about ensuring everyone got off the bus safely. You are nothing short of a hero. Thank you.”

Earlier: A busload of children had a dramatic start to their day after a school bus caught fire this morning.

A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesperson said they were called to the corner of Terralong and Collins Streets in Kiama at about 8:45 am this morning (28 November).

Two fire trucks and eight firefighters were swiftly dispatched to the scene. When crews arrived, they found the coach fully alight.

“Specialist hazardous materials crews also attended, due to the 200 litres of diesel fuel the bus was carrying,” the Fire and Rescue NSW spokesperson said.

“Crews immediately got to work attacking the fire. It took about 15 minutes to contain it.

“Fortunately, the fuel tanks remained intact, and an assessment of local drains has revealed no contamination as a result of the fire at this stage.”

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The Fire and Rescue NSW spokesperson said, fortunately, there were no injuries.

Heavy tow services were arranged to remove the vehicle from the area, and alternative transport was organised for the children.

No information is available at this stage on how the fire started.

NSW Police and Ambulance NSW also attended the incident.

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