SNOHOMISH—The driver of a Community Transit bus and all three passengers escaped injury today, after a fire that started in the front overhead area spread to engulf the interior of the bus traveling within the north end of the City of Snohomish.
Just before 7 a.m., Friday, May 16, Snohomish County Fire District #4 responded to a Community Transit bus on fire near 3700 block Bickford Avenue on Route 270 travelling between Everett and Gold Bar.
When fire crews arrived, the front of the bus was engulfed. Engine 43 used 600 gallons of water to extinguish the fire. The bus was a traditional diesel engine bus and had no lithium batteries involved in the fire.
A Community Transit spokesman told the Lynnwood Time that the driver immediately carried out emergency procedures and successfully evacuated all three passengers without injury.
“We are incredibly grateful for the driver getting everyone out safety and for the efforts of Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue,” Community Transit spokesman Martin Munguia told the Lynnwood Times.
Munguia shared that the bus was towed back to Community Transit where a physical investigation will commence to determine whether the incident is mechanical or nature or a manufacturing defect. Either way, he assured the Lynnwood Times that fires on Community Transit buses are rare with the last incident occurring over a decade ago.
Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue is initially reporting that the fire appears to have started in the front overhead area and the incident is currently under investigation by the Snohomish County Fire Marshall’s Office.
Bickford Avenue is back open with one lane of alternating traffic and all transit trips on Route 270 are in full operation.
Author: Mario Lotmore
