Driver Saves 22 Paramus Students After A School Bus Caught Fire

PARAMUS, N.J. — No children were injured after a school bus caught fire on Spring Valley Road Monday afternoon, police said.

The driver, Jose Rodriguez, safely evacuated 22 high school students from the bus, said Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg.

Rodriguez noticed smoking coming from the front of the bus as he was driving north, immediately pulled the bus over, and evacuated the students, Ehrenberg said. The students were brought to Eastbrook Middle School.

About 20 to 40 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the road and adjoining parking lot, requiring the Paramus and Bergen County Haz Mat teams to respond to the scene, the chief said.

Firefighters from Engine Co. responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze.

The fire started in the bus' engine and does not appear to be suspicious, Ehrenberg said.

Mayor Richard LaBarbiera LaBarbiera credited Rodriguez for getting the kids off the bus safety "after he was aware of a problem" and before the bus became engulfed in flames," LaBarbiera said.

He also credited the emergency personnel and firefighters who responded to the blaze and "quickly knocked down the fire."