Another said they could see “a very large line of flashing red and blue lights” on Tamaki Dr, all the way from Devonport.
Hato Hone St John said they responded with three ambulances, a first response unit, rapid response unit, and operations manager.
They assessed one patient in a serious condition and another in a moderate condition.
Reports on social media describe intense flames and the reek of burning rubber.
“There seems to be moments of incredible flashes like if I could imagine a shed full of fireworks going up?” one wrote on Reddit.
“I’ve never heard this many sirens blaring almost undisrupted probably ever it’s looks horrific from my place [sic],” another commented.
Images taken by a Herald photographer show Fire and Emergency trucks on both sides of the road. The fire appeared to be extinguished.
Lind said the reason they sent so many resources was that the bus was an electric vehicle.
“That’s just presenting some issues in terms of the fact that it’s in what we call thermal runaway, which means that the batteries have caught fire and it requires a lot of water to maintain their extinguishment.”
A Herald reporter at the scene said emergency services have blocked off Tamaki Dr at The Strand.
“There is a police officer standing in the middle of the road at the intersection of those two streets directing traffic,” they said.
“There seems to be a steady flow of trucks passing through and heading into Ports of Auckland while one police car and another fire truck have been waved through.”
More to come.
