An Ohio bus driver was hailed a hero for coolly rushing 15 middle school students off a burning school bus that went up in flames in mere minutes Thursday morning, officials said.
The inferno started behind one of the rear tires, forcing pupils on the way to Monticello Middle School to jump out before the bus became fully engulfed in flames, Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District and fire officials said.
The heroic bus driver didn’t even want recognition.
“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 message to the school community.
“I spoke with the driver today, and they credited the annual bus evacuation drills that drivers do with students with preparing them.
“(The driver has asked not to be identified, and we are respecting that request.) I also must credit the students for reacting so calmly and following the driver’s instructions to get to safety.”
Photos provided by the Cleveland Height Fire Department show flames shooting out of the bus windows and lighting a tree above the vehicle on fire. A giant plume of smoke filled the sky in the aftermath.
Firefighters quickly put the fire out and students were picked up by another district vehicle and brought to school.
The cause of the inferno wasn’t immediately known. The bus passed its annual state inspection earlier in February.
Other school buses were re-inspected following the fire “out of an abundance of caution,” Kirby said.
“Again, I am truly thankful for the safety of our students and thoughtful action from the adults who care for them,” the school chief said.
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