On Friday morning, a charter bus carrying 32 schoolchildren and five adults caught fire on Highway 17 near Santa Cruz, California.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. near Idylwild Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The driver noticed smoke coming from the bus and quickly pulled over to the side of the highway.

All passengers were safely evacuated before the bus became fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters from multiple stations responded promptly to the scene. They managed to contain the fire without it spreading to the surrounding vegetation, which was a significant concern given the area’s dry conditions. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Thanks to the quick actions of the driver and chaperones, all passengers were safely evacuated before firefighters arrived.

A second bus arrived shortly after to transport the children to their destination. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of readiness and calm under pressure.

The southbound lanes of Highway 17 were temporarily closed for about 40 minutes during the firefighting efforts, but were reopened by 10 a.m

---

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.