A bus carrying approximately 40 students from the University of Massachusetts Lowell caught fire on Sunday afternoon in Westwood, Massachusetts. All students were safely evacuated from the vehicle while on their way to a music competition.
Key Takeaways
- A charter bus transporting UMass Lowell band members ignited on Route 109 in Westwood around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
- All 40 students on board were evacuated without serious injury; one student was evaluated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
- Students reported hearing unusual noises and seeing smoke before alerting the driver to stop the bus.
- Despite the incident, the band was transported to their competition in Norwood by a replacement bus and performed as scheduled.
- Firefighters successfully salvaged thousands of dollars worth of musical instruments from the bus's storage compartments.
Incident Occurs on Route 109
The incident began around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, as confirmed by Robert Kilroy, Deputy Chief of the Westwood Fire Department. Emergency crews were dispatched to Route 109 near Grove Street following reports of a vehicle fire.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered a passenger bus with active flames. The students, all members of a university band, had already evacuated the vehicle. They were traveling to Norwood High School for a performance at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Associations competition.
A Close Call for Student Musicians
The group was traveling for an official university event, highlighting the importance of transportation safety for student activities. The quick actions of the students and the driver played a crucial role in ensuring a safe outcome before emergency services arrived.
Students Describe Tense Moments
Students on the bus reported noticing signs of trouble before the fire became visible. Jameson Carroll, a 20-year-old tenor drummer, said he initially heard a "dull thumping noise" from one of the wheels, which he had joked sounded like a train.
Carroll stated that conditions worsened while on the highway. "We heard what sounded like the tire blowing out and got a little concerned," he explained. Shortly after, students seated in the rear of the bus saw smoke coming from the right side.
"The smoke quickly got darker and heavier, and our section leader Marc started yelling to stop the bus, which we all joined in on from the back," Carroll recounted. "It was only once the fire started licking up the side of the bus that the bus finally pulled over."
Another student, 20-year-old snare drummer Elliott Lempke, described the urgency of the evacuation. He recalled shouting for his bandmates to move away from the burning vehicle. "I yelled at people to run away from it as I knew that with any large fire there is a risk of explosion," Lempke said.
Emergency Response and Equipment Recovery
The Westwood Fire Department worked quickly to control the blaze. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames in approximately 30 minutes. According to Deputy Chief Kilroy, their efforts prevented a total loss of the vehicle and its contents.
Following the fire suppression, crews focused on recovering the students' property. Firefighters managed to salvage valuable band equipment stored in the compartments beneath the bus. The recovered instruments were estimated to be worth thousands of dollars.
Quick Facts About the Incident
- Time of Incident: Approximately 1:30 p.m.
- Location: Route 109 near Grove Street, Westwood, MA.
- Passengers: Around 40 UMass Lowell students.
- Injuries: One student evaluated for smoke inhalation, not hospitalized.
- Response Time: Fire extinguished within 30 minutes.
Medical personnel evaluated one student for smoke inhalation as a precaution, but no hospitalizations were required. The successful evacuation was credited to the students' prompt reporting of the smoke to the driver.
University Issues Statement as Band Performs
UMass Lowell released a statement acknowledging the incident and thanking the first responders. A university spokesperson noted that a senior band member was the first to report smelling and seeing the flames, which initiated the evacuation.
"UMass Lowell is grateful to members of the Westwood fire and police departments who responded to the incident and ensured the safety and wellbeing of our students," the university's statement read.
Despite the disruption, the band's commitment to their performance did not waver. A second shuttle bus was arranged to transport the students from the scene to Norwood High School. The band arrived and performed for what the university described as "an enthusiastic crowd."
Student Jameson Carroll reflected on the decision to continue with the performance. "I’m glad that we performed though — I feel like we needed to put on the show despite what happened and make the best of the situation," he said. The cause of the bus fire is currently under investigation.
