The incident occurred at approximately 11.30am in the village of Castlemaine, where the Paddywagon Tours coach became engulfed in flames. Fire crews from Killorglin, Castleisland and Tralee responded to the scene alongside Gardaí.
According to the information available, all passengers and the driver were safely evacuated before the fire spread through the vehicle. No injuries have been reported.
The blaze completely destroyed the tour bus and also spread to a nearby parked car. Two houses close to the scene sustained smoke damage, highlighting how quickly the fire escalated before emergency services brought it under control.
A spokesperson for Paddywagon Tours confirmed that emergency procedures were immediately implemented.
"Everyone was evacuated according to our safety procedures, which all of our drivers are fully trained in."
The company also confirmed that neither passengers nor the driver were injured during the incident.
Witnesses at the scene praised the driver's calm actions during the evacuation, with many believing the swift response helped ensure everyone reached safety before the fire intensified.
Following the incident, the burnt-out bus and damaged car were removed from the roadway, allowing traffic through the village to resume later in the day.
At this stage, the cause of the fire has not been established. Gardaí and the relevant authorities have confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine how the blaze started. There is currently no official indication that the fire was the result of criminal activity or mechanical failure, and any conclusions about the cause would be premature.
Incidents of this nature are rare but serve as a reminder of the importance of emergency evacuation procedures and the rapid response provided by Ireland's fire and rescue services.