NHTSA Complaint #10183700 — 2006 IC CE

A 2006 IC TYPE C SCHOOL BUS BELONGING TO THE SAINT PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED THIS AFTERNOON. THE BUS WAS RETURNING TO THE GARAGE AFTER IT'S LAST ROUTE WHEN IT SUFFERED WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A RIGHT FRONT HEATER FAN FIRE. THE DRIVER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HEATER FAN AND PULLED OVER AT A SAFE LOCATION. SHE REPORTED THAT UPON STOPPING HEAVY SMOKE POURED FROM THE HEATER VENT. SHE EXITED THE BUS AND REPORTED THAT THE BUS WAS FULLY ENGULFED WITHIN TWO TO THREE MINUTES OF STOPPING THE VEHICLE. SHE REPORTED FLAMES IN THE FRONT OF THE BUS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR IS GUTTED WITH ALL SEATS BURNED, WINDOWS MELTED, AND ESCAPE HATCHES MELTED. THIS WAS A LARGE LIFT BUS CAPABLE OF TRANSPORTING 4 OR MORE WHEELCHAIRS, PLUS AMBULATORY STUDENTS. HAD THERE BEEN STUDENTS IN WHEELCHAIRS ON THE BUS WE HAVE DOUBTS SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EVACUATE ALL STUDENTS IN THE TIME THE FIRE TOOK TO SPREAD. *NM