Driver Saves Kids When School Bus Catches Fire In Woodland Hills

LOS ANGELES, CA — The quick-thinking of a school bus driver helped saved the lives of nearly two dozen children in Woodland Hills Wednesday afternoon.

The driver noticed the bus catch fire as it hurtled along the westbound 101 Freeway near the Winnetka exit in Woodland Hills, according to the los Angeles Fire Department. Upon noticing the smoke, the driver was able to safely pull to the shoulder and four adults assisted 23 children safely off the bus before firefighters arrived, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart. The bus was taking students from St. Jude The Apostle School -- a private school in Westlake Village -- on a field trip to Griffith Park. It was engulfed in flames when crews arrived shortly before 2 p.m.

The westbound side of the 101 was expected to be at least partially closed as firefighters mopped up the fire.
The CHP was arranging alternate transportation for the bus' occupants.

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City News Service contributed to this report.