Driver Evacuates 20 Students From School Bus Fire
Maryland bus driver Renita Smith is hailed for getting her elementary school passengers to safety before the bus becomes fully engulfed.

Dashcam footage from the Branchville Volunteer Fire Co. shows a school bus engulfed in flames in College Park, Maryland.

Dashcam footage from the Branchville Volunteer Fire Co. shows a school bus engulfed in flames in College Park, Maryland.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — No students were injured when a school bus caught fire here on Monday, and the driver is being hailed for her response to the incident.
Firefighters from the Branchville Volunteer Fire Co. in College Park were alerted to the fire at about 4:45 p.m.
There were 20 students from Glenarden Woods Elementary School on the bus when the incident began. Mark Brady, public information officer for the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, said in a statement that the students “were evacuated from the bus by the driver that was able to remain calm throughout the ordeal.”
No injuries were reported in the incident. Most of the children were picked up at the scene by their parents, while another bus was dispatched to transport the others.
Brady said that the fire appeared to have originated near one of the rear wheels and spread throughout the bus, although the official cause had not been determined.
A dashcam video from the chief of the Branchville Volunteer Fire Co., whose vehicle was the first on the scene, shows the school bus engulfed in flames.
Local resident Fazlul Kabir posted photos and a description of the incident on Facebook. He said that school bus driver Renita Smith evacuated all 20 students and then went back onto the bus to make sure it was clear.
The incident attracted attention across the country. In California, the Los Angeles Fire Department praised Smith for her actions to protect her passengers.
.@LAFD joins @PGFDPIO in saluting Renita Smith + all #SchoolBus Drivers who go above +beyond to protect children. https://t.co/g1kW3GN4aL
— LAFD Talk (@LAFDtalk) September 14, 2016
More Safety

How to Build a Better School Bus Driver Training Program
Is it time to strengthen your driver training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety. This video is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →
Recent School Bus Accidents Leave 2 Dead, 2 Injured
Four school bus crashes in Florida, Illinois, and Georgia highlight risks in transportation lots, at bus stops, and during student loading and unloading.
Read More →
When Every Second Matters, Clarity Keeps Routes Moving
From routine delays to urgent incidents, strong communication practices help drivers, dispatchers, schools, and families respond with confidence.
Read More →
What Happens When a School Bus Catches Fire — and What Can Help
School bus fires are rare but can be devastating. Learn how advances in fire suppression and asset protection help fleets detect fires earlier, reduce damage, and improve safety.
Read More →
Geotab Launches Tool to Help Fleets Investigate Road Incidents
Geotab Investigations combines telematics data, video, documents, and other evidence to help fleets reconstruct incidents, resolve claims, and determine what happened.
Read More →
Texas Sixth Grader Wins 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Sai Darshana Yekolu of Moseley Middle School in Prosper, Texas, was named the newest winner for her artwork, bringing the theme of “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” to life.
Read More →
Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty
With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.
Read More →
Walton County Schools Adds Gatekeeper Stop-Arm Enforcement System
The Florida district will deploy Gatekeeper’s updated Student Protector technology, which now incorporates AI to improve video evidence.
Read More →
How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →

