Lara Zijl 
A bus was completely destroyed by fire in the Auckland suburb of Epsom on Sunday evening, prompting a swift emergency response and the closure of a busy road.
Incident Details
The fire broke out around 6:10 p.m. at the intersection of The Drive and Empire Road in Epsom. Multiple emergency calls were made as flames engulfed the Auckland Transport (AT) bus, which was operating on the 295 route from the City Centre to Ellerslie.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand dispatched two crews to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found the bus “well involved” in flames. The fire was quickly extinguished, but crews remained on site to monitor the situation and ensure the area was safe.
Response and Aftermath
- No Injuries: All passengers and the driver were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. The bus driver has been praised for acting swiftly and ensuring everyone got off the bus safely.
- Road Closure: Parts of The Drive and Empire Road were closed to traffic while emergency services worked at the scene and continued to monitor the bus.
- Investigation: A fire investigator has been deployed to determine the cause of the blaze. As of now, the cause remains unknown.
Community Impact
The incident caused significant disruption in the area, with road closures affecting evening traffic. However, the effective response by the driver and emergency crews ensured that there were no casualties or further damage to surrounding property.
Summary
A blaze destroyed an Auckland Transport bus in Epsom on Sunday evening, but thanks to the quick actions of the driver and emergency services, all passengers escaped unharmed. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and the affected road has since been reopened to traffic. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and swift action in public transport safety.
