Four children were on board when the bus caught fire.
Photo: Supplied / Police
Two Mahurangi College students alerted a bus driver to smoke and helped two younger children escape before their school bus went up in flames.
Their principal says he’s now seeking an urgent meeting with the bus company.
The bus was extensively damaged by a fire on Friday morning.
Emergency services were called to the fire near the north Auckland village of Leigh just before 8.30am on Friday.
Police said the bus, which was on Pakiri Road, was “extensively damaged” by the blaze.
“Four children were onboard at the time of the fire and they have all been safely removed,” Sergeant Mark Stallworthy said.
“It’s fortunate that no one has been hurt.”
In a post on social media, Mahurangi College principal Tony Giles said the children are students at the school.
“My particular thanks goes to our two senior students who alerted the driver to the smoke and then assisted in helping the younger students off the bus. They acted decisively and calmly, ensuring everyone was safe and supported.”
Giles said he will request an urgent meeting with bus company to ask for assurances about the safety of its fleet.
“We are especially concerned given the events of this week, in which a Mangawhai bus also caught fire.”
On Monday a school bus caught fire just south of the township of Mangawhai.
All 20 children on board and the driver were safe, police said.
It is not clear if the two buses are from the same company.
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