Dozens of Co Limerick secondary school students had a lucky escape today when their bus burst into flames minutes before they got on it.
The 54-seater vehicle was picking up its first pupil on the Old Cork Road, Croom at 8am when the driver, a part-time fireman, detected smoke in the rear section.
The Colaiste Chiaráin student was immediately evacuated from the bus and the the fire services were alerted.
Four units from Limerick Fire Brigade later attended the scene for over an hour and a half. The blaze is believed to have destroyed the rear of the bus.
Gardaí and fire officers were tonight carrying out a technical examination to determine the cause of the fire.
Colaiste Chiaráin principal Noel Malone confirmed the bus belonged to Michael Sheehan, who also works part-time with Kilmallock Fire Service.
"It was the quick thinking of the driver that averted any danger to students, so we're very grateful for that. We were very relieved." Mr Malone said.
School authorities said the bus conformed to all Department of Environment testing regulations.
In a separate incident, a fire broke out on an empty school bus which was en route to pick up students in Co Meath last June.
The 44-seater DAF vehicle was travelling from the bus station in Drogheda, Co Louth, to Garristown, when the driver noticed an unusual smell.
A fire had broken out in the back axle of the bus, and the driver attempted to contain it but was not successful. The bus was destroyed.
Additional reporting: PA