Bus Safety Investigation - Interim Factual Statement - Green Valley bus fire m/o 9994

View the Interim Factual Statement

What happened

On 8 August 2022, the bus m/o 9994 was operating route 805 Liverpool to Cabramatta, NSW, when the driver noticed smoke in the passenger cabin. 

At approximately 18151, the driver safely evacuated all passengers onboard at The Valley Plaza bus stand, Green Valley. Shortly after the evacuation, flames became visible inside the bus before spreading and rapidly engulfing the vehicle. Fire and Rescue NSW attended the incident and extinguished the fire. The bus was destroyed.

No people were injured during the incident. A nearby vehicle and a bus shelter sustained damage from the heat and smoke generated by the incident. 

Investigation scope

The scope of the investigation includes, but is not limited to:

• The design, construction, and maintenance of the bus electrical architecture.
• Documentation relating to the critical design decisions of high current circuits, including conductor suitability and circuit protections.
• Standards relating to bus body construction and electrical systems.
• The design, construction, and fire resistance of bus body materials.
• Industry emergency response procedures and training captured in Safety Management Systems.

The Chief Investigator has required the Investigator in Charge (IIC) to:

• Identify the factors, both primary and contributory, which led to the incident
• Determine whether the incident might have been anticipated and the effectiveness of any controls that were in place to manage the related risks
• Advise on any matters arising from the investigation that would enhance the safety of bus operations.

The IIC will consult with all Directly Involved Parties (DIPs) throughout the investigation.