Related: School Bus Fires Highlight Need for Preventive Measures
2 Missouri School Buses Catch Fire, No One Injured
One fire appears to have been caused by a brake malfunction, while the other reportedly starts in the engine of the bus.

A Special School District of St. Louis County (Mo.) bus was transporting students and staff members when a mechanical problem caused a fire on the bus. No one was injured. Photo courtesy Maryland Heights Fire Protection District

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Two school buses caught fire in two separate incidents here on Monday.
In Maryland Heights, a Special School District of St. Louis County bus was transporting students and staff members to Pattonville High School when a mechanical problem caused a fire on the bus, according to a post on the district’s Facebook page. The driver immediately stopped the bus in a parking lot at the intersection of McKelvey Rd. and Dorsett Rd., according to the district. All passengers were able to safely evacuate the bus.
A second bus was dispatched to the site, according to Special School District of St. Louis County, and the students were able to continue on their route to the high school. The district added that it appreciates the quick response of the driver, staff, and students on board to get everyone off the bus safely.
The Maryland Heights Fire Protection District confirmed in a post on its Facebook page that a brake malfunction is suspected to have caused the fire.
Meanwhile, in South City, another school bus caught fire after experiencing a mechanical issue.
A St. Louis Public Schools bus, operated by First Student, was transporting one student home from Mann Elementary School when it caught fire on Interstate 44, Fox 2 Now reports.
Capt. Leon Whitener of St. Louis Fire Department said that the bus driver told authorities that while he was traveling on the interstate, a motorist was able to honk and notify him about the fire, and that he was able to safely pull the bus off onto the exit ramp, according to the news source. Whitener told Fox 2 Now that a woman standing near the exit ramp managed to help the driver get the student off the bus before it was engulfed in flames.
Whitener added that it appears the fire may have started in the engine of the bus and quickly spread through the passenger compartment.
View photos of the school bus fire in Maryland Heights, posted on the Maryland Heights Fire Protection District's Facebook page, below.
More Safety

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
