Thermal Incident Reported On Bus Transporting Elementary Students

LANDOVER, MD — A school bus with Prince George's County Public Schools experienced a "thermal incident" Tuesday, April 1, around 4:39 p.m.

According to the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department on X, formerly known as Twitter, the bus experienced issues near Twilight Drive and Covenant Gardens Court. Fifteen students from Thomas G. Pullen Elementary were on the bus and safely evacuated without injuries. They were picked up by a new bus so their route could continue. The thermal incident was no longer a threat by around 5:12 p.m., the department stated.

In a statement provided to DC News Now, PGCPS officials said that there was no actual fire, but rather a “thermal incident” that affected the bus.

"The safety of our students is our top priority. This afternoon, a school bus transporting students home from Thomas G. Pullen K-8 Creative and Performing Arts School experienced a thermal event while en route. Thanks to the swift and decisive response of the driver, all students were safely evacuated and there were no injuries. PGCPS school bus drivers receive ongoing training to identify and respond to thermal events and other emergency situations. In this instance, the driver followed all safety protocols precisely, helping to ensure a safe outcome for everyone on board. The district is currently reviewing the incident and evaluating existing protocols and procedures. Any necessary adjustments will be made to further strengthen our commitment to student safety."