Quick-thinking bus driver safely evacuates children from burning vehicle

AURORA, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News) – More than a dozen children escaped a bus in flames, thanks to the quick and heroic actions of their bus driver.

Aurora Fire Rescue shared photos of the charred school bus on social media Wednesday explaining it caught fire around 4 p.m.

The bus was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, and all 14 students on the bus had safely evacuated.

Aurora Fire Rescue said the bus driver immediately pulled over and helped kids get off the bus as soon as he saw fire coming up through the dashboard.

“His prompt and courageous actions were crucial in ensuring everyone’s safety,” Aurora Fire Rescue said in the post. “The outcome of this incident could have been tragic, but the quick and effective actions of the bus driver and firefighters were truly heroic.”

Investigators believe the fire was accidental and started in the bus engine.

A spokesperson for Aurora Public Schools released the following statement:

“We are extremely grateful that no one was injured in an incident this afternoon involving one of our buses. While taking students home after school, the bus driver noticed a small fire in the engine compartment and immediately stopped the bus and evacuated everyone on board. We then called emergency responders who put the fire out. Another APS bus picked up the students and took them to their stops. We want to give our utmost thanks to our bus driver for his awareness and quick action. His response kept everyone safe. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority.”

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