Worcester Student, Bus Driver Honored For Quick Thinking In Porch Fire

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester Public Schools student and a bus driver are being recognized for their quick thinking after helping prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating.

Adryan Ferreira Pugira, a student in the district’s Transitions Program, and bus driver Fabian Torres were honored by the Worcester School Committee after they called 911 upon spotting a porch fire on Uxbridge Street in December.

School officials said that Torres noticed flames coming from the front porch of a home while driving a school van. He immediately stopped the vehicle, and Adryan used the driver’s phone to call emergency services. First responders arrived and no injuries were reported.

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The Worcester School Committee formally recognized both Torres and Adryan for their actions, praising their awareness and willingness to act in an emergency.

WPS shared a photo of the pair being honored, with city officials, including Mayor Joseph Petty and City Councilors.

Incidents like this highlight the importance of a quick response during fires. In Worcester, the fire department responds to emergencies across a city of more than 200,000 residents, according to the Worcester Chamber.

Similar emergencies in Worcester involving vehicles and structures have shown how critical fast action can be. In 2022, a school bus driver put out a car fire, saving a family with a young baby, according to a report from WHDH.

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