Twenty-four children from Flory Academy, a science and technology magnet school in Moorpark, were on their way to the California Science Center when their bus suddenly caught fire on the Hollywood Freeway (Highway 101) at Universal Center Drive at about 9:00 a.m. Cathy Peters, an accompanying teacher noticed smoke coming out of a vent near the driver. She moved the students to the back of the bus with the help of parent volunteers. When the smoke did not stop, the emergency exits were opened and the bus was evacuated.

Fortunately, all the students and teachers were evacuated safely and no one acquired major injuries. Medical aid was given to those who complained of respiratory problem due to inhaling heavy smoke.

It is unclear as to what started the fire. We all know that school buses are potentially dangerous as they do not have seat belts, but this is an entirely unexpected danger. This fire incident could have taken a bad shape if the young children were hurt.

Ross Jurewitz is a Los Angeles bus accident attorney and the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed due to the negligence of others.  If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in an auto accident in California, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.