MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Jefferson Travel charter bus caught fire on southbound I-55, north of Shelby Drive, Tuesday evening.
On board were Central High School basketball players and coaching staff, who were on their way to Whitehaven High School for a game.
The bus driver smelled something and then saw something strange in the mirror, and made everyone get off the bus before trying to control the fire with a fire extinguisher.
“He stopped, he got out, checked it , and noticed smoke and got the kids off the bus…and then the blaze got strong,” bus owner Arthur Jefferson said.
A WREG producer drove by the bus shortly after it caught fire and said she could feel the heat as she passed.
Many parents were already at Whitehaven when they heard about the fire, and rushed over to check on the team.
“Everyone got off safe, then they walked down the road a little piece as I understand it. They sent parents and other cars to pick ’em up,” Jefferson said.
No one was injured. Central went on to win the game 50 to 45.
Another bus picked the team up from Whitehaven High School and took them back to Central High School after the game.
Parents told WREG they were just glad their kids are OK, and they hope the bus company finds out what caused the fire.