A routine school bus ride turned into a terrifying ordeal Thursday morning when a vehicle carrying 15 middle school students caught fire. Thanks to the swift actions of the bus driver and prior safety training, all students evacuated safely, avoiding what could have been a tragic incident.
The fire, which broke out near a rear wheel of the bus heading to Monticello Middle School in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, was reported by Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS. Witnesses described hearing loud booms before seeing flames engulf the vehicle.
“There were a couple of booms,” 13-year-old Britt Mosby told ABC News. “The bus driver said, ‘Everybody get off the bus.’ That’s when we ran from it and the bus just caught on fire. We were all scared. We called our parents. Luckily, the bus driver got us off safely.”
Nearby residents also witnessed the chaotic scene. Maureen Ottman, a neighbor, described seeing a child board the bus just before the explosion. “I heard a big boom. I looked out the window and saw flames coming from the side of the bus,” she said.
Another district vehicle quickly arrived to transport the students to school. Parents expressed immense relief at the driver’s quick thinking. “I’m highly grateful that everybody survived and was able to escape,” said Antwone Jones, whose child was on board.
Devin Morris Meadows, who had both a son and nephew on the bus, commended the driver’s composure. “It was very comforting hearing the bus driver had it under control,” he said.
The Cleveland Heights Fire Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol are now investigating the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, school officials credit regular bus evacuation drills for ensuring students knew how to respond in the emergency.
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