Farm workers alert driver to smoke on Madera school bus. Students evacuated
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- A Madera school bus caught fire after evacuating students due to smoke.
- Mechanical malfunction caused the fire; no injuries were reported.
- Authorities launched an investigation into the fire's exact cause.
A school bus in Madera County with students on board caught fire while on its route Thursday because of a mechanical malfunction, according to Madera Unified School District.
The bus was carrying students from La Vina and Madera South High before it stalled while traveling on Avenue 8 near Road 23 1/2 and began to smoke.
Farm workers waved down the bus driver to tell them smoke was coming from the back of the vehicle.
The driver, according to the school district, followed safety protocols and the students were evacuated.
Shortly after the students got off the bus, the vehicle caught fire, deputies said.
“We want to reassure the public that neither the students nor the driver was harmed,” the school district posted on social media. “All students were transported on another bus to their schools.”
The cause of the incident is under investigation, the school district said.
This story was originally published September 4, 2025 at 12:39 PM.
