Bus Carrying Palo Alto Students Catches Fire on Highway

A tour bus carrying dozens of students who were part of a Palo Alto singing group caught fire Friday evening on state Highway 17 in Santa Cruz County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The 54 students ranged between elementary school and high school students who were heading to Santa Cruz, CHP officials said.

Shortly after 5:30 p.m. Friday, the 1999 Dina bus was heading south on Highway 17 south of Granite Creek Road, where the driver saw smoke coming from the bus’s rear and pulled over to the right shoulder, CHP officials said.

Everyone on the bus safely evacuated from the vehicle before the rear of the bus became engulfed in flames, according to the CHP. No injuries were reported.

Two lanes were initially closed but one was reopened soon after the blaze was extinguished, CHP officials said. The other lane remained closed until around 8 p.m. for the group to be picked up from the scene and the bus to be towed, according to the CHP.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

--Bay City News