Bus full of UConn students becomes engulfed in flames

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Sunday, April 19, 2015
Bus full of UConn students bursts into flames.
AJ Ross has more from Gowanus, Brooklyn.

UConn students were heading to Boston when thick black smoke filled their bus. Everyone managed to get off safely, but soon after, the bus was engulfed in flames. Now, police are investigating what sparked the fire.



The buses were booked through a UConn student organization, and the D.O.T. numbers were linked to a company in Gowanus, Brooklyn.



The students were heading to Boston for a senior boat cruse when a driver noticed smoke coming from one of their four charters. When the smoke got worse, the driver pulled over.



"We all got out of the bus. We were waiting on the side of the road for a while," said Ashley, a Long Island resident who was on board the bus.



Ashley told Eyewitness News that they got back on the bus with plans to stop at the next restaurant, until they heard a bang.



Eyewitnesses say the fire began under a wheel well, and spread all over. State police say there were no hydrants in the area, so fire trucks from five different towns were called.



UConn was able to get mini buses to bring back the students, and they will all be able to receive refunds for their trip.



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