Near CASTANA, Iowa — A school bus driver and two students here were able to safely evacuate their bus on Monday morning just before it caught fire.
The bus driver had just started picking up students, and stopped at a home to pick up the two students who were aboard the bus at the time of the incident, KCAU9 reports. The students and the bus driver then heard a loud bang and exited the bus. The bang was so loud that the students’ mother told the news source that she heard it from inside their home. She also said that she saw smoke coming from the back tires, and that flames had spread throughout the bus before firefighters could put them out.
The students and driver evacuated the bus safely and were picked up and taken to school, according to West Monona Community School District’s Facebook page.
Monona County Sheriff Jeffrey Pratt confirmed to KTIV that the fire started in the back of the bus and the driver tried to extinguish it, but was unable to do so. The bus is considered a total loss, according to the news source.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to KTIV.
Driver, Students Escape School Bus Before It Catches Fire
The Iowa bus driver and two students hear a loud bang and safely evacuate the bus. The fire is determined to have started in the back of the bus, but the cause remains under investigation, police say.
More Safety
Autonomous Vehicles Aren’t Built for Student Transportation [Op-Ed]
Driverless cars may feel the future, but student transportation requires more than navigation. Here’s why it demands human judgment, empathy, and oversight.
Read More →
New York Girl Killed by School Bus Hit & Run
An 11-year-old in Brooklyn was killed crossing the street. Meanwhile, the school bus driver faces misdemeanor charges after he left the scene.
Read More →
Disaster Readiness Starts Before the Storm [Call for Experts]
The 2026 Disaster Response Guide is officially underway, and we’re now opening a Call for Insights and Experts.
Read More →
How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
New York 5-Year-Old Killed by School Bus, Investigation Ongoing
A Rockland County child was struck by their school bus late last week. Here's what we know so far about this and other fatalities and injuries in the area over the years.
Read More →
Prevent School Bus Dragging Incidents: Anti-Pinch Door Sensors and Maine’s New Mandate
As Maine becomes one of the first states to require anti-pinch door sensors on new school buses, manufacturers like Mayser offer a look at how the technology works and why it's a critical fail-safe.
Read More →
8 Ways To Simplify and Streamline School Bus Fleet Operations
What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.
Read More →
Survey: Most Parents Want Automated Enforcement on School Buses
A recent Verra Mobility survey reports that 82% of parents support safety cameras to penalize stop-arm violators and 70% favor automated enforcement in school zones.
Read More →
State Grant Program Advances School Bus Safety Upgrades Across Ohio
$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.
Read More →
Waymo Scrutiny Intensifies as NTSB Launches Investigation
After complications in multiple cities when self-driving taxis failed to stop for school buses, the NTSB joins NHTSA in a probe to determine what's behind the tech and related safety concerns.
Read More →