Around 8:30 A.M. on Wednesday, February 13, a Southern York County school bus became encompassed by flames.
According to the York Daily Record, the bus containing, approximately 40 students, was on route to Friendship Elementary just like every other school day morning, when the rear began to smoke. 911 was called immediately as the bus approached the intersection of Jefferson and Tannery roads.
Ryan Pugaczewski, age 11, was a passenger on the school bus when he saw that something was wrong with the bus.
“There was smoke coming out of the back engine,” said Pugaczewski.
A nearby motorist also noticed that something was wrong with the bus and pulled in front of the large vehicle to notify the driver. Soon there after, the driver pulled over to a nearby field, and all children were evacuated.
Students assisted each other out of the smoke and worked together to get everyone removed from the bus.
“Me and my friend opened the side doors to help the kids out,” Pugaczewski said.
After the evacuation, the fire began to spread. It moved from the back of the bus and filled the interior with the smell of burning leather. The bus continued to burn until firefighters rushed to the scene. The flames slowly dissipated as the firefighters drenched the vehicle with water and gained control over the fire in about 20 minutes.
The firefighters did more than just put out the fire. They did an additional check to ensure no children were still on the bus and successfully identified the cause of the accident. The smoking was a result of a mechanical failure within the engine of the bus.
Shortly following the arrival of the state police, another school bus was brought to the students in order to get them to school as soon as possible despite the eventful morning.
All children were evaluated by the school nurse upon arrival to make sure they were healthy and free of injuries.
Some were taken home due to trouble breathing, including Ryan Pugaczewski, but shortly after the difficulty ceased.
Thankfully all were free of severe harm and most were able to continue with their normal school day as easily as they possibly could.
According to the York Daily Record, the bus containing, approximately 40 students, was on route to Friendship Elementary just like every other school day morning, when the rear began to smoke. 911 was called immediately as the bus approached the intersection of Jefferson and Tannery roads.
Ryan Pugaczewski, age 11, was a passenger on the school bus when he saw that something was wrong with the bus.
“There was smoke coming out of the back engine,” said Pugaczewski.
A nearby motorist also noticed that something was wrong with the bus and pulled in front of the large vehicle to notify the driver. Soon there after, the driver pulled over to a nearby field, and all children were evacuated.
Students assisted each other out of the smoke and worked together to get everyone removed from the bus.
“Me and my friend opened the side doors to help the kids out,” Pugaczewski said.
After the evacuation, the fire began to spread. It moved from the back of the bus and filled the interior with the smell of burning leather. The bus continued to burn until firefighters rushed to the scene. The flames slowly dissipated as the firefighters drenched the vehicle with water and gained control over the fire in about 20 minutes.
The firefighters did more than just put out the fire. They did an additional check to ensure no children were still on the bus and successfully identified the cause of the accident. The smoking was a result of a mechanical failure within the engine of the bus.
Shortly following the arrival of the state police, another school bus was brought to the students in order to get them to school as soon as possible despite the eventful morning.
All children were evaluated by the school nurse upon arrival to make sure they were healthy and free of injuries.
Some were taken home due to trouble breathing, including Ryan Pugaczewski, but shortly after the difficulty ceased.
Thankfully all were free of severe harm and most were able to continue with their normal school day as easily as they possibly could.
