Wakefield School Bus Catches Fire, But Quick Thinking Saves Day

WAKEFIELD, MA — A driver is among those credited with getting a bus fire under control at an elementary school Wednesday morning.

Bus driver Kim Audet was conducting her routine preparation around 6 a.m. at Woodville Elementary when she smelled smoke and saw flames under the hood of a bus, according to a district release. Audet called the fire department, which quickly handled the situation.

The district said a mechanical failure in the engine compartment was to blame for the fire.

Audet and the fire department helped limit the damage to just the one bus, sparing three others nearby. An extra bus was used to pick up and drop-off.

Woodville's opening was delayed by an hour, but Facilities Director Tim O'Brien and Department of Public Works crews made sure the parking lot was safe for families after it froze over during the firefighting effort.

"I am extremely proud of everyone who helped this morning, from Kim recognizing the danger, to firefighters who extinguished the flames, to our facilities and public works teams who helped mitigate the impact of the incident on the school day," Superintendent Doug Lyons said. "I want to thank all of them for their actions this morning."