No Injuries Reported After I-93 Bus Fire

CANTERBURY, NH — New Hampshire State Police, as well as Canterbury and Northfield fire and rescue teams, were sent to I-93 South in Canterbury this afternoon for a bus fire, according to state police. The fire was reported at around 5:15 p.m. on Oct. 8, 2016, and shut down the highway for more than two hours.

“Troopers found full-sized passenger bus on fire, all occupants were evacuated, and there were no injuries,” according to Sgt. Ron Taylor of the NHSP.

Firefighters were delayed getting to the scene due to heavy traffic on the road and drivers not moving out of the way, according to Taylor.

“This resulted in the Interstate being blocked,” he noted. “Troopers had to respond northbound in the southbound lane clearing traffic so fire tankers could deliver water to the scene.”

After the fire was extinguished, the Interstate was re-opened to traffic. At post time, Taylor noted, drivers are being asked to “be patient and should expect traffic congestion southbound while the bus is being removed from the scene.”

The cause of the bus fire – which was transporting high school students home from a sporting event – is unknown at post time. Another bus is en route to transport students and staff home, according to Taylor.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by Commercial Enforcement Troopers from Troop G and Canterbury Police.