Nearly 50 tourists lost their possessions in a bus fire in Central Otago. Credit: Otago Daily Times
Nearly 50 tourists lost their possessions after flames rendered a bus a ''skeleton'' yesterday afternoon.
A fire investigator has been requested to determine the cause of the fire, which engulfed the vehicle outside a fruit stand in Cromwell, Central Otago, and took more than an hour to extinguish.
None of the 48 passengers on the Trafalgar bus destined for Queenstown were harmed.
Cheryl MacKenzie, who works at the stall, said the fire started while the vehicle was parked and passengers were shopping.
''There were lot of people in it, and all their luggage is gone. They've all lost their passports, everything.
''There's just a skeleton of a bus.''
The bus engulfed in flames. Photo / Richard Jarosch via ODT
Tourist Luke Grennon, from Ireland, said he lost most of his valuable possessions in the fire, including his suitcase, clothes, iPad and a camera lens.
''We were in the shop and we came out and heard a bus was on fire.
''We saw strong black smoke and flames just spread. It started from the back of the bus.
''I'm happy no-one was on the bus. It's so unfortunate, but luckily everything can be replaced.''
The Travel Corporation head of public relations Vanessa Budah said the coach was chartered from a third party, Pacific Tourways, which was investigating the cause of the fire.
The bus was carrying Trafalgar and AAT Kings tourists.
The companies are owned by The Travel Corporation.
''Alternative transportation was immediately arranged and guests were transferred to their hotel in Queenstown, where they are currently resting, she said yesterday.
''The safety and wellbeing of our guests is paramount and we are doing all that we can to assist them with their needs at this time.
''The trip will continue as planned,'' she said.
Tourist Roberta Ward, of California, said the bus had transported the group around the South Island.
