PHOTOS: Fairfield School Bus Engine Engulfed in Flames

Emergency response crews extinguished a fire on a school bus at Verna Hill and Greenfield Hill streets at approximately 3:15 p.m. Wednesday afternoon

The rear engine compartment of the bus was fully engulfed in flames upon emergency crew arrival.

The First Student school bus driver William Strickland "did a great job calling it in and evacuating the bus," according to Fire Chief Richard Felner Strickland was treated on scene and released as a precaution against smoke inhalation.

The fire extended into the passenger compartment and authorities were forced to initiate environmental protective actions using pads and booms to absorb runoff.

Approximately 10 students were on the bus, heading home from Fairfield Woods Middle School, at the time the fire broke out.

The students were, "kept out of harm's way due to the early recognition and swift actions," of the driver, according to Strickland, who touted the driver's quick thinking and reaction time.

The scene was cleared by emergency personnel at 4:34 p.m. Environmental clean up crews and protection agencies were on scene.