I never thought I would experience something as terrifying as a bus catching fire, but that’s exactly what happened to me and my classmates on Dec. 3, 2025.

It was just another ordinary school day, and I was looking forward to heading home after a long day of classes. I remember sitting in my usual seat near the back, chatting with friends and joking around, when suddenly, one of the kids a few seats ahead of me shouted that he saw smoke.

At first, we all laughed it off, thinking it was just some kind of prank. But then the smell of something burning hit us, and our laughter quickly turned to fear. 

Our bus driver was incredibly quick-thinking. He immediately pulled over to the side of Highway 49, right next to a gas station. I remember thinking how lucky we were that the gas station was there; it gave us a safe place to get off the bus and was probably the only place where we could be safe.

As soon as the bus came to a stop, our driver calmly instructed us to exit in an orderly fashion. I could see the smoke getting thicker, and my heart raced as I hurried to the door. When I stepped off the bus and turned back, I saw even more smoke billowing from inside. 

It felt unreal—like something out of a movie. Eventually, we all saw the flames erupting, and a rush of fear and adrenaline coursed through me.

Once we were all safely off the bus, I looked around and saw that everyone else was okay too, which relieved me immensely. These are my friends and classmates. 

Despite the chaos, we managed to stay calm, thanks largely to our driver’s leadership. He led us over to the gas station parking lot, ensuring we were a safe distance from the bus.

Within minutes, the Harpeth Ridge Volunteer Fire Department arrived and began extinguishing the fire. Watching them in action was both impressive and frightening. 

The flames grew higher and higher, consuming our bus, which had just hours before been our ride home. It wasn’t just a bus; it was where we shared laughs and memories.

Once the fire was out, we gathered in the parking lot, and I noticed that some kids were still shaking. Parents started to arrive, and I felt a wave of comfort as my mom rushed over and hugged me tightly. She was just as relieved as I was that everyone had gotten out safely.

The next day, we were informed that a replacement bus would be provided to get us to school. Although the incident was scary, I felt grateful that no one was hurt. Investigations are still ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, but the rumor is that a heating motor for the defroster seems to be the leading suspect.

For now, I’m just thankful for our quick-thinking driver and the many others who jumped into action. It’s a day I’ll never forget, and it has definitely made me appreciate how important safety is on our daily rides.  

This article is contributed by Harley Wright, a student at Creek Wood High School.