Heroic Ohio Bus Driver Saves 15 Students After School Bus Catches Fire
An Ohio bus driver is being praised for their quick thinking after a school bus they were driving suddenly caught fire with 15 students on board. The fire broke out on the morning of February 27, while the bus was transporting students to Monticello Middle School in Cleveland Heights.
The fire started near the rear wheel of the bus, located at the corner of Cambridge and Northampton, as stated by the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District. The driver reacted swiftly, evacuating all the students to safety. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the fire was quickly brought under control by the Cleveland Heights Fire Department.
Superintendent Liz Kirby expressed relief that everyone was unharmed, crediting the driver for their prompt response. She shared that the driver attributed their quick action to the annual bus evacuation drills conducted with students, which helped prepare them for emergencies.
While the bus driver has chosen to remain anonymous, Superintendent Kirby also commended the students for their calmness and cooperation in following the driver’s instructions to evacuate the bus safely.
Following the incident, the students were transported to their destination by another district vehicle. Local resident Maureen Ottman, who witnessed the event, described the scene with black smoke engulfing the area, as everyone in the neighborhood evacuated to stay safe.
Ohio State Highway Patrol had inspected the bus just two weeks prior, finding no safety violations. State patrols regularly conduct inspections on school buses to ensure their safety and compliance.