Fault probable cause of bus fires

A mechanical or electrical fault is probably responsible for a fire which engulfed two tour buses in Dunedin.

A Good Company Tours coach caught fire in a car yard in Kaikorai Valley on Wednesday last week and the flames spread to a second bus, also owned by the sightseeing tour company.

Dunedin fire investigator Mark Bredenbeck said despite the investigation not being officially confirmed, it was not looking likely that the fire was suspicious, and it was possible there had been a mechanical or electrical fault in some parts of the bus.

Good Company Tours owner and operator Richard Trainor told the Otago Daily Times last week it was particularly difficult timing for the tourism business.

‘‘With Covid-19 and no international visitors it is sort of testing me a little bit."