A bus which caught fire after striking an overpass at a major transport hub in Auckland this afternoon has been extinguished.
A witness told 1News of passing through the station on a bus as Fire and Emergency NZ crews arrived.
“The bus had flames,” she said. “I saw the water over the road from the fire hydrants and the police car on the busway and thought something was strange and then we came into the station and saw the smoke and the bus with the fire engines spraying it.”
A nearby resident told 1News she had to leave her house because of the fumes, and she initially thought someone had spilt methylated spirits somewhere inside.
Fire and Emergency NZ said the bus involved was “confirmed to be an EV”.
Police said they were advised a bus had collided with the edge of an overpass around Constellation Drive, North Shore around 1pm.
“The bus has subsequently caught fire and there is a significant amount of smoke in the area.”
Auckland Transport said bus was out of service at the time of the incident with no passengers on board – and the driver was not harmed.
“The fire is now extinguished,” the agency said just after 4pm, “and the bus is currently being removed. We anticipate the station will reopen over the next few hours.”
Fire and Emergency NZ said in a statement multiple calls were received to the outbreak of the fire and crews responded from across the city.
“Standard trucks from Albany and Greenhithe were sent. A rescue truck from Takapuna was sent, and also a heavy rescue unit from Papatoetoe.
“Crews from West Harbour and Avondale were also called in. A command unit, specialist hose layer, and a breathing apparatus tender were sent.”
Fire and Emergency NZ said the bus was an electric vehicle.
“It was confirmed to be an EV, and the fire is at a second alarm.”
The New Zealand Transport Agency said the Constellation Drive station was closed. “Traffic in the area is congested but all Northern Motorway lanes are open.”
Police advised motorists to follow the directions of emergency services staff.
Auckland Transport notified passengers that no services would be stopping at Constellation Drive Bus Station until further notice.
It said the impacted busway overbridge would remain closed until it had been assessed by a structural engineer.
Bus routes which used the overbridge would be diverted until it had been approved as safe.
