The 29-year-old driver stood no chance after a passenger threw an incendiary device at a Brisbane bus driver, setting him alight and killing him.
The Brisbane bus driver has been named as Manmeet Alisher, a prominent figure in the Punjabi community in Australia.
The news of his death was shared by the Punjabi community on social media.
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart has said there is nothing to suggest the attack was racially motivated.
"We do not believe at this stage that there is any evidence linking this to a racial complaint or concern by either of the people involved."
Mr Stewart said six passengers on the bus were taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation and minor injuries.
He paid tribute to the heroic actions of a taxi driver who saw what was happening on the bus and kicked in the rear door of the burning bus, allowing them to escape.
A 48-year-old man is in custody over the attack that killed Manmeet Alisher.
"While we don't know the actual motives at this stage, I want to reassure the community that we take these incidents very seriously and that is why, as a precaution, officers from the State Security and Counter Terrorism Group have also been involved in this investigation," he told reporters.
The man's horrific death was likely captured on cameras installed on Brisbane City Council busses.
A 48-year-old man, described by police as "compliant", was arrested at the scene and a murder investigation is underway.
The crime played out in full view of horrified onlookers and just four weeks after the state government finally announced a review aimed at halting escalating attacks on bus drivers.
Mr Stewart appealed to anyone who might have footage of the attack to come forward. He said witnesses had been traumatised by what they saw.
