East Ridge officials are commending a school bus driver for her quick actions after her bus caught fire Thursday morning.
The incident happened just after 8 a.m. at the intersection of St. Thomas Street and Ringgold Road, according to Fire Chief Mike Williams.
By the time fire crews arrived, all 53 children aboard had been safely evacuated from the bus, Williams said in a post on Facebook. The driver told authorities that earlier she had seen heavy smoke coming from the rear wheel area.
No one was injured and the children were transported to their school by another bus.
Crews believe the fire was caused by hot brakes.
Williams praised the driver, who was not identified in the release, saying, "She showed compassion for each of these children during event.
"If this was the bus driver of your children this morning, you should feel confident that your children were in good hands."
