An Ohio bus driver is being celebrated as a hero for assisting 15 students in escaping after their school bus caught fire, per PEOPLE. 

The incident occurred on Thursday, February 27, at the intersection of Cambridge and Northampton in Cleveland Heights. Flames erupted behind one of the rear wheels, as reported by the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District. The driver, who was transporting the students to Monticello Middle School, acted “quickly” to evacuate the students “off the bus and to safety,” according to a statement from the Cleveland Heights Fire Department on Facebook.

The Best Possible Outcome

“First and foremost, 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,” Superintendent Liz Kirby said in a statement shared on behalf of the school district. “I spoke with the driver today, and they credited the annual bus evacuation drills that drivers do with students with preparing them,” she continued. She added, “I also must credit the students for reacting so calmly and following the driver’s instructions to get to safety.”

Authorities reported that there were no injuries and the fire was quickly contained. The Ohio State Highway Patrol last inspected bus 21 on February 14 and found no safety violations, as stated by Cleveland 19. In addition to annual inspections, state patrols conduct daily checks on school buses throughout Ohio and visit schools approximately every six months.

Kirby confirmed in her statement that the state highway patrol and Cleveland Heights Fire Department are collaborating to investigate the cause of the fire on bus 21, which is still unknown. She also mentioned that a team of mechanics has been assigned to re-inspect their fleet of buses “out of an abundance of caution.”

#Clique, what are your thoughts?