AURORA, Colo. — Fourteen children and a driver are safe after a school bus caught fire in Aurora Wednesday.
Aurora Fire Rescue (AFR) said firefighters responded to a school bus that was on fire near East 11th Avenue and North Picadilly Road at around 4 p.m. Wednesday. Crews found an Aurora Public Schools bus that was heavily engulfed in flames, the fire department said.
They confirmed with the bus driver that all 14 children had been safely evacuated and were unharmed before putting the fire out, the fire department said.
AFR said the bus driver's quick thinking and bravery were instrumental in the safe evacuation of the children. Upon noticing the fire coming through the dashboard as he turned the bus, he immediately pulled over and helped in evacuating the children.
"His prompt and courageous actions were crucial in ensuring everyone's safety," the fire department said in a release.
Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental and originated in the engine compartment.
An Aurora Public Schools spokesperson said another bus picked up the students and took them to their stops.
