Penn Hills School District is a bus short after a morning bus fire.
Penn Hills police and fire companies reported to the intersection of Frey and Universal roads just before 9 a.m. Friday.
According to a post from Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Company No. 7, the fire was “well involved” by the time firefighters got to the scene. Police directed traffic at the intersection throughout the morning.
The fire damaged overhead utility lines and first responders had to operate with that additional hazard until utility crews arrived. No injuries were reported.
The post said about 40 students were on the bus and had been evacuated well before the fire began.
The district said the bus was headed to the elementary school when it experienced a mechanical issue that later resulted in a fire.
“The driver immediately pulled over when warning lights activated, and students exited the bus safely well before the bus caught fire,” a statement from the district said. “All students are safe and were transported to the school on an alternate bus. Out of an abundance of caution, school nurses are checking in with students.”
The students were transferred to the other bus and were headed to school when the bus started smoking and proceeded to catch fire, authorities said.
