Waikato Expressway: Fire engulfs bus near Ōhinewai, stretch of SH1 closed

Emergency services were responding to a “well-involved” bus fire in Waikato on Friday evening.

Police and Fire and Emergency (Fenz) were alerted at about 8.10pm after a bus caught fire while being towed on the Waikato Expressway, which led to the road being shut north of Huntly.

The northbound lanes of the expressway are shut at Ōhinewai while emergency services work at the scene.

“There are no reports of injuries, however, the northbound lanes of the expressway are shut at Ōhinewai while emergency services work at the scene,” a police spokesperson said.

“Diversions are in place and it will likely be two to three hours before the lanes reopen.”

Fenz shift manager Carren Larking said: “We have two fire trucks in attendance as well as two water tankers.

“As far as we’re aware, there were no passengers on the bus and we’re still there working with police.”