Email

Print

We asked them if they could explain what caused the bus to spontaneously catch on fire.

Nicholas Flores, Bus Driver
"About 2:45 we arrive at this point. We were travelling from Benque Viejo to Belize City and when we stop to pick up a passenger at that bus stop the bus just shut down and as soon as it shut down you start to see smoke - think smoke. Shortly after we see like a blaze of fire from underneath. What we did with the assistance of the conductor we tried to out it; we used all the water we had onboard, we used the fire extinguisher but unsuccessful. What we did was get off all the passengers from the bus safely, nobody got hurt."

Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, did you guys manage to find out what caused the fire? Do you have idea? you know that it will have to be investigated by the fire department but do did you guys know where the source of that fire may have been?"

Nicholas Flores, Bus Driver
"At this time no, not yet. But we sure that it was not overheating because the bus was running at a normal temperature, so I guarantee that it was not an overheating problem."

Daniel Ortiz
"The bus, a part from the fire damage looks like it was in excellent condition. How old is the bus and how often do you guys do servicing?"

Nicholas Flores, Bus Driver
"I am not sure about the age of the bus or for how long it had been on the road but I drive the bus many times and me personally as a driver I normally make sure that I do my necessary checks before I even enter to depart from Benque Viejo - that's everyday on a daily basis. All drivers for Shaw's Bus Service make sure that we check everything. This bus was in good worthy condition."

Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, at this time do you know what the cost will going to be to replace this bus or try to fix it?"

Nicholas Flores, Bus Driver
"That would be something for the owner to comment on. From what I see I would believe that is totally done."

Daniel Ortiz
"We also understand that you guys were trying to do other arrangements and people were trying to steal from the bus. I was told that you guys are missing a battery."

Nicholas Flores, Bus Driver
"As the bus driver and something like this happens - I had to go to the Hattieville Police Station to make an official report. That took me about half an hour and by the time I got back here the battery was already gone. What we are doing right now is waiting for the boss to come and try to get all of this out of the way."

Daniel Ortiz
"To add insult to this situation; the remnants of the bus is being robbed?"

Nicholas Flores, Bus Driver
"Exactly."

Again, the National Fire Service continues to investigate.