Published Wed, Feb 08, 2012 06:13 PM
Modified Wed, Feb 08, 2012 10:50 PM

Students, driver escape school bus blaze

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By Meghan Cooke - macooke@charlotteobserver.com

Firefighters say an alert bus driver got elementary school students off a bus Wednesday afternoon before it erupted in flames along a southeast Charlotte street.

The fire broke out on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus No. 295 as it dropped off students from Chantilly Montessori School just before 5 p.m.

The driver came to a stop on Bearmore Drive, located between Sardis and Monroe roads, after noticing smoke coming from the bus dashboard area, according to Charlotte Fire Capt. Rob Brisley.

The driver and the six students on board escaped safely, and then the driver called 911. Students stood a safe distance away in a nearby yard as eight firefighters knocked down the flames in about 15 minutes.

Video footage captured by someone who lives nearby and posted on YouTube shows black smoke pouring from the bus. Flames in the front of the bus quickly spread, shooting from the bus’ windows. A firefighter who arrives at the scene is seen stepping onto the bus, working to douse the flames.

The blaze caused significant damage to the bus. After the smoke settled, the top of the bus appeared charred.

Brisley said investigators believe the fire was accidental and began in or around the dashboard area.

“The actions and response by this driver are the reason everybody’s safe,” Brisley said.

Observer news partner WCNC-TV contributed.

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