It was a frightening scene on the Hummingbird Highway Sunday afternoon as a southern transport bus was devoured in a fiery blaze. These video images captured by Belmopan Comprehensive High School student Rudolph Jacobs show the incredible scene as it unfolded about 10 miles outside of Belmopan.
So far Novelo's Bus Company has confirmed that the bus left Dangriga enroute to Belize City at 2:30. At about 3:30, the bus was near the Sibun River Bridge on its way to Belmopan when it caught fire. Passengers who were onboard say it started from the back of the bus and as the video shows eventually the entire
bus then burst into flames. Fortunately, all passengers were safely evacuated. The bus company says the driver and conductor made attempts to put out the flames with a small fire extinguisher. That did little to help and they eventually had to resort to getting water from the Sibun River.
So what caused the fire? Southern Transport's Manager Patrick Miranda says that early indications are that the fire was started by the failure of the brake pads. He suspects the brake pads got stuck and there was a wheel seal which was leaking oil. They made contact and that sparked the fire. Miranda says that's when the driver saw smoke and evacuated the bus.
We note the fire burnt itself out as no fire engine responded. Southern Transport is a subsidiary of Novelo's Bus Company. The destroyed bus is estimated to be worth between $25,000 and $40,000.
