National Fire Authority CEO John O’Connor said preliminary investigations have revealed that the fire started from the engine compartment.
There were about 15 passengers in the bus which was traveling towards Suva.
A passenger told Fijivillage that he was sitting behind the driver when he saw smoke coming out from the engine.
The driver stopped the bus and tried to use the fire extinguisher to put out the big fire.
Passengers got off the bus safely but the fire got bigger.
Firefighters then came to the rescue.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Bus Operators Association said to prevent further bus fires, a review is needed in the effectiveness of quality assurance maintenance systems.
Vice President Richard Lal said all operators currently have their own systems and it is time now for the bus industry, its stakeholders and the Land Transport Authority to do a review.
The Association is seriously concerned about the recent incidents and reiterated that passenger safety remains paramount for bus operators.
LTA CEO Naisa Tuinaceva said buses are inspected on a six monthly or yearly basis and stringent standards are in place.
He said their enforcement officers are on the roads everyday checking the condition of buses.
Story by: Rohit Deo and Ronal Deo
