Operations & Training

Cleveland Heights, OH, Bus Driver Hailed a Hero

Feb. 28, 2025

The driver managed to get all 15 students off the burning bus quickly, Cleveland Heights firefighters said.

In Cleveland Heights, a bus driver is being hailed as a hero for getting students to safety when the vehicle caught fire.

“There were a couple of booms. The bus driver said, ‘Everybody get off the bus.’ That’s when we ran from it and the bus just caught on fire. We were all scared. We called our parents. Luckily the bus driver got us off safely," a teen told news 5.

Neighbors who shared images of the rolling flames and thick smoke reported hearing a similar noise.

“I saw a little girl getting on the bus like I do everyday. After she got on the bus, I heard a big boom. I looked out the window and I saw flames coming from the side of the bus,” recalled Maureen Ottman.

The Cleveland Heights Fire Department is investigating.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.