The bus was parked at the rear of the Yambuk fire station where firefighters believe its engine compartment ignited and spread to the back of the vehicle around 6.15pm.

District five duty officer Robert Howell said 15 firefighers in three tankers from Yambuk, St Helens and Codrington extinguished the fire.

"You don't have to travel too far when the fire comes to you," Mr Howell quipped

"The brigades did a good job to contain it and limit the damage."

He said Warrnambool Bus Lines were aware of the fire and a replacement bus would transport students to school on Wednesday.

"It's not going to go anywhere in a hurry, and there's damage to the interior," Mr Howell said.

"The kids won't even know. The bus company has another bus they can utiltise."

He said the fire was not suspicious, but a fire investigator would determine the exact cause of the blaze on Wednesday.

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