A school bus in Ohio caught fire Thursday morning with 15 students on board, but their bus driver heroically took action. The driver was on their way to Monticello Middle School when they suddenly noticed flames erupt.
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School Bus Driver Saves 15 Students After Bus Catches Fire
The sparks first caught fire behind one of the vehicle's rear tires. Cleveland Heights Fire Department revealed shocking images of the bus in flames on
Facebook and described how the driver saved the pupils. "There was a school bus fire this morning at the corner of Cambridge & Northhampton," it wrote.
"The bus driver acted quickly and got all of the students off the bus and to safety." The fire department confirmed there were no injuries, and they were able to get it under control swiftly. After the terrifying incident, another district vehicle picked up the students to bring them to school.
While the majority of the post's replies thanked the school bus driver, one person told their side of the story. Hannah Ross Smith claimed to have been beside the bus while at the traffic light. "As the light turned green, we started to go and I heard a large cannon like boom," she wrote.
"I looked over and the right rear axle of the bus was on fire!!!! I beeped and flashed my lights but I couldn't get the bus to stop." Smith then described how the bus continued for two more blocks until she lost sight of it.
In fear that the blast had damaged her car, she pulled over to make sure her vehicle was untouched. "It scared the bejeezus out of me," she added.
Despite taking action quickly to keep these students out of danger, the driver remains unidentified and didn't want the recognition. Superintendent Liz Kirby wrote a message to the school district community, granting more details on the sudden inferno.
"I can't express how relieved I am that no one was hurt, and I am incredibly grateful for the quick response from the driver," she began. "I spoke with the driver today, and they credited the annual bus evacuation drills that drivers do with students with preparing them."
Kirby confirmed that they began an investigation into the cause of this fire. This is in partnership with the fire department and Ohio State Highway Patrol, so we may soon find out the reason behind it.
