An inferno on a school bus has caused more than 30 children to be evacuated on the NSW south coast.
Adam Dewberry from NSW Fire and Rescue said crews were called to the blaze near Collins Street and Terralong Street in Kiama about 8.45am Thursday.
He said 33 kids were on the bus when the blaze broke out and were safely evacuated along with the driver.
The bus was headed for Kiama Public School and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School were the children are students.
Mr Dewberry confirmed no injuries had been reported, with crews getting the fire contained within 20 minutes.
Alternative transport was arranged to get the children to school.
The bus was loaded with 200litres of diesel petrol and NSWFR have been assessing nearby waterways to ensure there aren’t any contamination issues from leaked fuel.
‘It’s still smouldering so we’ll let it cool down more before moving into investigation and recovery,’ Mr Dewberry said.
The bus caught fire just before 9am Thursday at Kiama on the NSW south coast
The bus was carrying 200L of diesel fuel and the cause of the fire will be investigated
The bus is operated by Kiama Coaches.
A mother of one of the students took to Facebook to praise the driver.
‘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,’ Belinda Fagan 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.’
The cause of the blaze is being investigated.
Kiama Public’s P&C said everyone got out of the bus safely, and had been escorted to school by teachers
