RISING SUN, Ind. — Switzerland County Elementary School in Indiana was closed Thursday after a bus fire broke out near the building, according to an announcement from Superintendent Rod Hite.
In a letter to parents, Hite wrote that all students and the bus driver were evacuated and safe, but the school building had to close for inspection and cleanup. The fire did not spread to the school and classes will continue as normal Friday, Jan. 9.
"We are incredibly proud of our students and our bus driver," Hite wrote. "Their quick response time and adherence to evacuation protocols ensured a safe outcome."
WATCH: Parents are thanking the bus driver for his quick thinking that saved students
Jeff Darling, fire chief of the East Enterprise Volunteer Fire Department, told us crews got a call about the fire around 7:08 a.m. Thursday morning.
Darling said the driver of the bus tried to set the parking brakes and heard a loud pop.
"The driver quickly evacuated and got the kids to a safe area," said Darling. "By the time they got off the bus, they noticed a small fire. Once East Enterprise arrived on the scene, it was fully engulfed in flames."
De'Jah Gross was covering this story in Switzerland County for WCPO. You can contact her here:
He said the black top under the bus is damaged.
Hite thanked families for their patience and cooperation.
"Your flexibility, quick response and understanding as we navigated this situation together made a difficult morning much easier for our students and staff," Hite wrote.
