Maitland City Council and the Mercury received a complaint about the bus, which vandals set on fire three weeks ago.

The Mercury was told the bus had been driven to the vacant block of land and left there about three years ago.

It was initially thought the interior of the bus contained asbestos but a council officer confirmed it was fibreglass.

A council officer was at the scene and took photographs of the damage when the Mercury arrived to talk to neighbours yesterday.

He confirmed council had received a complaint and he would talk to the property  owner about having the bus removed at the owner’s expense.

This process would take some time, the council officer said. 

A sample of fibres from the scene would be sent away for tests to rule out hazardous substances.

Meanwhile, the Mercury went to the home of the bus owner but he was not available for comment.