The State Fire Marshal and Maryland State Police have made the following statement on the Kent County school bus fire this morning.
A joint investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Maryland State Police has revealed a twelve year old male
student had a marine type flare on a school bus occupied with twenty-eight students and
the bus driver.
At approximately 8:20 a.m. this morning during transport to Chestertown Middle School, the marine flare ignited causing everyone to evacuate the bus along Chestertown Road (Route 20) in Chestertown. The bus driver acted quickly and proficiently in evacuating the students from the bus. Seven students were treated for minor smoke inhalation injuries and were released from Chester River Hospital Center. The remaining
twenty-one students were evaluated at the scene by Kent County Emergency Medical Services and subsequently transported to Chestertown Middle School. The school bus is considered to be a total loss with an estimated $45,000 in damages.
The investigation continues into the cause for how the marine type flare was ignited and why the student had it on his person.
John says
Amazing that everyone got off safely when you see this image: https://oi42.tinypic.com/apjmde.jpg
Joe Diamond says
Uh?
“The flare ignited. . .?”
Did we not have a recent event where a cake (unsatisfactory confection) ignited? Happened in Rock Hall…….Fire Marshal brought charges.
The investigation continues, no doubt. Until then let us check beses to make sure they have no flares that are prone to ignition.
Joe
Joe Diamond says
Check buses too!
Joe