Passengers escape bus blaze on Sydney Harbour Bridge

SAFETY concerns have been raised after a bus carrying 45 passengers in a wedding party erupted into flames on the Sydney Harbour Bridge last night.

SAFETY concerns have been raised after a bus carrying 45 passengers in a wedding party erupted into flames on the Sydney Harbour Bridge last night.

A passing motorist noticed the bus on fire while driving along York St, signalled to the driver and all passengers were safely evacuated.

Now the Transport Workers’ Union of NSW has questioned why fire safety systems have not been installed in many private bus fleets.

“The safety of bus drivers and their passengers is a number one priority, but not it seems to authorities like Transport for NSW,” State Secretary Richard Olsen said today.

Chaos … Police and fire brigades officers at the scene last night. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Wreck … The burned out shell of bus. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

#omg massive fire on #sydney #harbourbridge ... #bus on fire pic.twitter.com/FRnAsxBK3c

— Su-Lin Tan (@SuLin_Tan) November 2, 2018

“The job of making buses safer when it comes to the unpredictable nature of bus fires is only half done. Engine bay fire suppression systems have been installed in government contracted buses in the inner and outer metro of Sydney.

“They have not been installed in many private fleets.”

Police shut down southbound lanes were closed on the bridge just after 11pm. Dramatic video footage shared on Twitter showed thick smoke billowing into the air.

Police shut down southbound lanes on the bridge during the emergency. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Fire crews at the scene last night. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Six fire trucks and 24 firefighters were reportedly called to the scene and extinguished the fire, which had also spread to a nearby building.

The bus was completely destroyed but the building only received minor damage.