Bus driver burned to death in Brisbane

A young bus driver is dead after being doused in a flammable liquid and set on fire just after the peak-hour rush in Brisbane today.

A 48-year-old man is in custody over the attack on the 29-year-old driver at Moorooka.

Police say it appears to be a random attack and there's no suggestion it is terror-related. A murder investigation has been launched.

Superintendent Jim Keogh said six people were on the bus and three were waiting to board it when it pulled up at a bus stop on Beaudesert Road about 9am (local time) today.

It's alleged one of the three who got on the bus tipped flammable liquid on the driver and then set him alight.

"He stood little chance," Supt Keogh said.

"Words escape me. It's a horrific incident here in the quiet suburb of Moorooka.

"A bus driver going about his business and helping the community has had his life taken in what is a senseless and needless act."

He said the incident could have been far worse.

"The other passengers were lucky to get off, even more lucky the whole bus didn't engulf in flames," he said.

The man was located at the scene.

His mental state will be a key part of the investigation, police said.

Supt Keogh said a man had risked his own life to kick out a door of the bus, giving passengers an escape route.

"Heroic at the least, (he) certainly jeopardised his own life for the safety of those still on the bus."

Passengers have been treated for smoke inhalation and are "visibly shaken, traumatised, considering themselves lucky to have escaped injury or death," he said.

Supt Keogh said the man in custody was "compliant" and today's attack appeared to be a rare and, so far motiveless, crime.

A taxi driver told the ABC he was walking past when the fire started, and kicked in the back door of the bus to help free the passengers.

"Unfortunately, I couldn't go inside because of the smoke, you couldn't even think of going in. The fire was just getting higher and higher," the unnamed man said.

One witness said she helped passengers, including young children, get off the bus.

"I was lucky, they (the kids) were lucky. Mums were screaming ... I think they were lucky to survive," the witness told the ABC.

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