Bus carrying children on school tour goes on fire

A bus carrying a group of school children and their teachers burst into flames yesterday evening.

The 45-seater bus had been ferrying the school children home from a school tour when it was engulfed in fire at 6.30pm.

It happened at Barna, between Newcastle West and Templeglantine, in West Limerick.

Moments after smoke began billowing from the vehicle, the flames took hold, however, those on board escaped.

Gardaí said no one was injured but the occupants were shocked and traumatised.

According to a Garda source, the bus is owned by a private operator.

The bus was completely destroyed in the fire.

Newcastle West fire service was dispatched to the scene and put out the inferno.

It’s believed the vehicle had been climbing a steep hill, known locally as Garda Hill, when it caught fire.

A portion of the Tralee/Newcastle West road remained closed for a number of hours last night.

Traffic was diverted by gardaí onto the old Barna road.

Anyone with information can contact Newcastle West garda station on 069-62111.