By paNOW Staff

No injuries after school bus burns west of Prince Albert

Jun 15, 2018 | 10:02 AM

The Prince Albert Fire Department said the quick actions of a school bus driver helped keep the students safe after a mechanical issue caused a fire this morning in the R.M. of Prince Albert.

Firefighters were called to the scene of the fire roughly 12 km west of Prince Albert near McDonald Rd. shortly after 8 a.m. Friday morning, and found the bus aflame. Firefighters put out the blaze and an investigation determined a mechanical issue in the engine compartment caused the fire, though the bus was completely destroyed.

According to a statement from the fire department, bus operator Mark Jenkins jumped into action and evacuated the bus as soon as the fire broke out.

“The quick and professional actions of the bus driver in evacuating the students is directly responsible for the confirmed safety of all,” the fire department wrote.

Cory Trann, superintendent of schools for the Sask. Rivers Public School Division, said the driver should be commended.

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“I’m happy to say there were no injuries and everyone got off safely. All our safely protocols were followed and the driver did an amazing job to ensure student safety today,” he told paNOW. Trann also noted the high school students also did an excellent job helping the younger children.

While he couldn’t speak to the specifics of what may have caused the fire, Trann said there will be an investigative follow-up. The school division was able to send out another bus to get the students to their respective schools.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 11:13 a.m. on Friday, June 15, 2018 to include comments from Trann.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @PrinceAlbertNOW