Bus Catches Fire On I-95 During Storm, More Than 50 People Evacuated: Darien First Selectman

DARIEN, CT — A passenger bus caught fire on I-95 in Darien in the middle of Sunday's severe snowstorm, leading to the evacuation of more than 50 people, according to officials.

First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky praised first responders in a letter Sunday, and noted more than 50 patients had "to be rapidly evaluated, treated, and either transported off scene to area hospitals or safely sheltered and transferred back onto another bus to continue on to Fall River, Massachusetts." There were minor injuries reported.

Shortly after 12 p.m. on Sunday, the Noroton Heights, Darien and Noroton Fire Departments were called to I-95 for a passenger bus fire with occupants on board. The incident occurred on I-95 North in the area of Exit 11, Connecticut State Police told Patch.

Units worked to evacuate all passengers from the highway with help from Darien and Stamford EMS.

The scene was eventually brought under control and cleared. A video posted to Zagrodzky's Facebook page appears to show the entire back half of the interior of the bus engulfed in flames.

"This was likely one of the most impactful incidents Darien has faced in several years," Zagrodzky said in his letter to first responders and partner agencies.

"The fact that this complex emergency unfolded during one of the most significant weather events our area has experienced in many years makes your response even more remarkable," Zagrodzky wrote. "The quick response, extraordinary on-scene communication, coordination, and crisis decision-making demonstrated by everyone involved ensured swift action under intense conditions and helped prevent what could have been a tragic outcome."

It's unclear what caused the fire.