Overview
- Local parent Kari Thorp spotted flames near the front tire during afternoon drop-off and alerted driver Rick Gratton to evacuate.
- All 22 East Bethel Elementary students and the driver exited safely with no reported injuries, gathering initially on Thorp’s porch.
- The blaze rapidly engulfed the front of the bus, tires later exploded, and volunteer firefighters contained the fire before the bus was towed.
- Heat from the fire melted part of the roadway, underscoring how quickly vehicle fires can escalate in residential areas.
- Ring doorbell video captured the incident as the school district publicly recognized Thorp and Gratton, and neighbors later presented them with thank-you gifts.