Six passengers and the driver managed to escape

Police believe this afternoon's fire on a Busways coach was deliberately lit.

The vehicle was on the Newcastle to Taree 150 service when it was overtaken by fire at Forster just after 1pm.

According to witness accounts a female passenger entered the on-board toilet facilities and allegedly lit a small fire.

The woman fled the scene, with officers attached to Manning-Great Lakes Police District currently conducting extensive inquiries into her whereabouts.

The fire has completely destroyed the vehicle,

The male bus driver safely evacuated all six passengers from the bus before alerting emergency services.

Due to the location of the blaze, power to surrounding streets has been knocked out, including Forster Police Station.

Lake Street remains closed in both directions, local diversions are in place.

A full investigation will take place and Busways will work with the Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI).

The coach was new in September 2020 and has been in operation for about six months.

Inquiries are continuing.

EARLIER:

A bus driver was treated at the scene and six passengers escaped injury after a passenger bus caught on fire early this afternoon, Thursday, March 11.

More than a dozen Fire and Rescue NSW personnel rushed to the scene, on the corner of Lake and West streets, Forster just after 1pm after the vehicle burst into flames.

The driver was treated by NSW Ambulance officers for smoke inhalation.

The fire has since been extinguished and the road reopened to the public after being closed for safety reasons.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

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