A school bus caught fire Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 79 in Bridgeport, West Virginia, triggering a rapid emergency response and temporarily shutting down southbound lanes during peak travel hours.
The fire was reported at approximately 3:07 p.m. near the Jerry Dove Drive exit — around mile marker 124 — in the southbound lanes of I-79. The timing of the incident raised immediate alarm, as it coincided with the afternoon school dismissal window when buses are typically transporting students home.
However, Harrison County 911 officials confirmed that no children were on board at the time of the fire. The driver also managed to exit the vehicle safely before flames spread further, preventing what could have been a far more tragic outcome.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Bridgeport Fire Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency crews worked quickly to contain the blaze and secure the area around the burning vehicle.
The southbound lanes of I-79 near the scene were closed as crews worked to control the fire and clear debris from the roadway. Motorists in the area faced significant delays during the closure.
By approximately 4:15 p.m. — just over an hour after the fire was first reported — authorities reopened the southbound lanes to traffic.
The cause of the bus fire has not yet been officially determined. It remains unclear who the bus was operated by or what school district it was associated with. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the investigation into what sparked the fire. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
