Kids on ski outing evacuate burning bus, avoid injury

GLACIER, Wash. – About 35 middle school kids avoided injury Saturday morning by evacuating a charter bus that caught fire heading to Mount Baker Ski Area in northwest Washington state.

Washington State Patrol said a second bus with All Adventures Charters & Bus Tours following the first bus picked up the evacuated students and continued to the ski area.

A bus company spokesman said the lead driver pulled the bus over and started evacuation procedures after noticing a puff of steam and then smoke.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Heather Axtman said no injuries were reported but the bus eventually became fully engulfed in flames and was destroyed.

She says the winding road was reduced to one lane but had to be closed in the afternoon in both directions to remove the bus.