A Brisbane Bus Driver Has Died After Being Set on Fire

Firefighters were called to Moorooka in Brisbane's south at 9 AM morning after calls were made of a fire on a bus. They arrived to find a public bus alight, with passengers struggling to escape from the rear. The fire was allegedly so hot that it had blown out the driver's window.

Police arrived simultaneously to learn that the 29-year-old bus driver had been doused in a petrol and set alight. His alleged attacker had run away, but was arrested a short time after. Police now have a 48-year-old man in custody.

A witness at the crime scene took this video of fire crews extinguishing the bus fire in Moorooka. — Casey Briggs (@CaseyBriggs)October 28, 2016

Superintendent Jim Keogh held a live press conference at noon. "It is a horrific incident here in the quiet suburb of Moorooka," he said. "A bus driver going about doing his business, supporting the community and has taken his life from him in a senseless and needless act."

He admitted that "words escaped him" when trying to understand why this incident had occurred.

Police have confirmed they see no connection between the bus fire and terrorism, nor do they suspect it was a robbery. It's also unknown at this stage whether the alleged attacker and the bus driver knew one another.

Eleven bus passengers are currently being treated for smoke inhalation while police continue investigations.

More as this story develops.