BUS FIRE DRAMA
Passengers escaped unhurt when a Tebara Transport Limited bus caught fire at Nausori yesterday.
The bus was reportedly carrying more than 10 passengers.
It had travelled from Suva and was about to reach Nausori Bus Station when the incident happened close to a roundabout near the Nausori Health Centre.
The Police were controlling the traffic while the National Fire Authority officers tried to put out the fire.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed the passengers were unharmed and the NFA was investigating the cause of the fire.
Witness, Salote Naibena, 28, of Nausori said she was entering the health centre when she saw the fumes coming out of the bus.
“I was taking my son for his clinic when I saw the fumes coming out of the bus. The driver was trying to get everyone out of the bus,” she said. “I was standing by the entrance when the passengers rushed out and right then the windows of the bus exploded into pieces. “The fire was big and within minutes the whole bus had caught fire,” Ms Naibena said. Tebara Transport Limited chief executive Arvind Maharaj said it was an unfortunate incident but it was fortunate that no one was injured.
“We had our annual fitness with the Land Transport Authority yesterday.
“The bus went on a trip yesterday evening and had operated well this morning.
“I am happy that the driver assisted the passengers to quickly vacate the bus. “NFA regularly conducts in-house training for our drivers.
“LTA and Police educate our drivers because as a bus company we need to be ready and alert to ensure that our passengers are safe,” Mr Maharaj said.
LTA chief executive Carmine Piantedosi said LTA was waiting for the NFA report before it would conduct its own investigation.
First Nadi Crash
Meanwhile, a man of Mulomulo, Nadi, escaped with minor injuries after the bus he was driving veered off the Nadi Back Road yesterday.
It is alleged that the man was traveling to Votualevu.
The bus belonged to the West Bus Limited. No passenger was in the bus when the incident happened.
The driver was later sent to the Nadi Hospital.
Police are continuing their investigations.
Second Nadi Crash
In another accident, an elderly man was rushed to the Nadi Hospital the vehicle he was driving veered off after the road after a two-car crash outside Nadi Town last night.
Police present at the scene confirmed that the driver sustained serious injuries due to the impact.
Two fire trucks from the National Fire Authority with officers were present at the scene to free the driver who was trapped in the wreckage.
Details remain sketchy when this edition went to press last night.
Police are investigating.