New York Times Writer Documents Megabus Fire En Route From Chicago
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBSNewYork/CBS Chicago) -- A New York Times travel writer was on board Sunday when a Megabus caught fire in the northern suburbs of Chicago.
The Lake Forest, Illinois Fire Department received a call around 12:15 p.m. Central Time of the bus on fire on southbound Route 41 in the Lake County, Illinois municipality, CBS Chicago reported.
The bus was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived on the scene.
All of the approximately 40 passengers and the driver got off the bus safely and no injuries were reported, CBS Chicago reported.
"When I heard the first boom I was in the bathroom and I came out to a lot of smoke," said passenger Russicha Watkins told WBBM-TV, CBS2.
Update: the bus exploded. pic.twitter.com/Sd0rBYN714
— The Frugal Traveler (@frugaltraveler) February 21, 2016
Lucas Peterson, who writes as "The Frugal Traveler" for the New York Times, tweeted that he was on the bus and took pictures of the bus in flames. He tweeted out a summary of what happened.
Summary: we left Chicago, immediately there seemed to be something wrong bc we stopped on shoulder of highway couple times, driver got out.
— The Frugal Traveler (@frugaltraveler) February 21, 2016
Then driver said we have to turn around and go back to Chicago to switch buses. About five min later tire blows and we pull over on hwy 41
— The Frugal Traveler (@frugaltraveler) February 21, 2016
Driver says it's just a flat tire, that there's no need to panic, and goes outside. Minutes later smoke starts pouring out of the bus.
— The Frugal Traveler (@frugaltraveler) February 21, 2016
Someone on the top deck eventually says: "we should get off of this bus." So we all get out. People trying to get their luggage. Small fire.
— The Frugal Traveler (@frugaltraveler) February 21, 2016
Small fire over wheel becomes big; people abandon luggage and get away. Entire thing goes up in flames, series of loud booms.
— The Frugal Traveler (@frugaltraveler) February 21, 2016
The bus was reduced to a burned-out husk after the blaze, but incredibly, no one was injured, WBBM-CBS2's Sandra Torres reported.
All of the luggage on the bus except one suitcase was destroyed in the fire, CBS affiliate WDJT-TV, Milwaukee reported.
"I lost everything I owned," said passenger Meranda Medley. "All my clothes, like everything. I don't have anything left."
"I lost everything, my Social Security card, all my clothes because I was trying to move, trying to start over," said passenger Terry Griffith.
Peterson also tweeted pictures of some of the passengers while reporting on what they said they lost.
Alexei O'Brien, student at U of St Thomas, says he lost his clothes, schoolwork, hundreds of $ in textbooks pic.twitter.com/Uzhpji2tUa
— The Frugal Traveler (@frugaltraveler) February 21, 2016
Darnell McKinney says he was moving STL to MIL and lost most of his possessions, SS & credit cards, birth certif. pic.twitter.com/voWcn1UYVQ
— The Frugal Traveler (@frugaltraveler) February 21, 2016
Passenger Alice Taylor estimates she lost $1700 worth of possessions, including her laptop. pic.twitter.com/nNcnzNJf5V
— The Frugal Traveler (@frugaltraveler) February 21, 2016
Megabus says the bus was traveling to Minneapolis, with a stop in Milwaukee on the way, WDJT reported.
"Safety is our top priority and Megabus.com is fully cooperating with the authorities with their investigation into the incident," said Sean Hughes, director of corporate affairs for Coach USA America.
The passengers were placed on another bus that reached Milwaukee at 4 p.m. Central time, WDJT reported.