School Bus Malfunction Burns 4 Children in Edgewater

Four children suffered minor injuries in Edgewater on Thursday afternoon when the heating system of a school bus malfunctioned, according to a school system official.

The initial report is that a hose that runs inside the bus and carries heated fluid burst and leaked inside the bus causing minor injuries to four children, said Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokeswoman Maneka Monk. 

The purpose of the line is to heat the bus, Monk said.

The four children, all girls, sustained some burns and blisters when the hot fluid came in contact with their skin, according to Anne Arundel County police spokesperson Lt. Michael Brothers. All three patients were transported to Anne Arundel County Medical Center for treatment, Brothers said. 

The incident occurred between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. near the intersection of Central Avenue and Stepney's Lane.

The bus was transporting children home from Central Elementary School following dismissal, Monk said. All parents were notified at the time of the accident and given the option of picking up their child or allowing their child to be transported home on a replacement bus. 

There will be further investigation into the exact cause of the incident, Monk said.