Terrifying Scenes as School Bus Packed with Kids Erupts into Flames

Authorities are looking into what caused a Tennessee school bus to suddenly burst into flames early Wednesday morning — a terrifying moment that thankfully ended with every child safely off the bus.

The fire broke out around in the early morning on Dec. 3, according to multiple local outlets. School officials say the bus was driving eastbound on Highway 49 with elementary school students on board when smoke started pouring out. The driver immediately pulled over and got the kids off the bus.

Everyone was safely moved away from the vehicle, though officials haven’t yet shared how many students were on board at the time. Within minutes, the bus was completely engulfed in flames, and firefighters from the Believe Harpeth Ridge Volunteer Fire Department rushed in to put it out. By then, the bus was a total loss — but incredibly, no one was injured.

One of the young passengers, first-grader Penelope Winters from Charlotte Elementary School, told WKRN she was the first to spot the flames. “I saved everyone because I told the bus driver what was happening,” she said.

Her sister Asher, a second-grader, admitted she didn’t wait around once she realized the situation was serious. “I was the first one to get off the bus because I was scared it was going to blow up,” she shared.

Parents quickly arrived at the scene, including Meghan Griggs, whose child was onboard. She said the bus was already charred when she pulled up, and the photos she shared show the roof and seats burned down to metal. Griggs said her son stayed surprisingly calm and kept calling her until she picked up. “Luckily, I am down the road, so it didn’t take me long to get there,” she said.

Investigators are still working to determine what caused the fire.