Mangawhai school bus fire: 19 students safely evacuated as bus goes up in flames

A dramatic trip home for a group of Northland school students this afternoon as their school bus caught on fire, prompting an escape through the driver’s side when the main doors failed to open.

The Mangawhai fire has caused the closure of part of a road as fire crews continue to battle the blaze.

The bus caught fire just before 4pm near the intersection with Carter Rd, south of the Mangawhai township.

Police said all 20 people on the bus at the time, 19 children and one driver, are safe and accounted for.

The father of a 13-year-old girl on board said the news came as a “shock”, especially with this being only the second week his daughter has taken the bus.

He said his daughter told him the doors wouldn’t open, and they had to climb out the driver’s side.

“Bit concerning that the doors wouldn’t open ... there should be an emergency override,” the father said.

“They pulled over, and the bus was filling with smoke. From what I’ve heard, [the driver] did a good job getting them all out,” he said.

Photos of the fire show bright orange flames and thick black smoke billowing from the bus.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said they were alerted to a school bus that caught fire at 3.54pm.

They said everyone on board at the time was evacuated safely, but Fire crews are still working to extinguish the blaze.

A school bus has caught fire in Mangawhai. Photo / Google Maps

One fire engine, one water tanker, and a support vehicle are in attendance.

Locals on Facebook said they were told via a text that the cause of the fire was a “mechanical issue”.

One local called the incident a “frightening sight”.

Police said a section of Mangawhai Rd has been closed following the fire.

The road is expected to be reopened once the scene is cleared.

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