New Information After Two Bus Fires in Less Than One Month

CHARLOTTE, NC– New information as parents question Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus safety after two fires in less than a month.
CMS says investigators still don’t know why the buses went up in flames but that the fires started in the engine compartments.

To see our previous report, click here.

We do know state inspectors told CMS in 2011 that those type of engines could spark fires.
Inspectors said to fix the problem or park the buses.

WCCB Charlotte is waiting on CMS to release inspection reports that confirm the district did that.

“If they knew they could have happened why not solve the problem and get you know new buses?” asked Alessandra Guitierrez.

Guitierrez was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. She was standing next to the bus at Country Club apartments in October as 16 South Mecklenburg High School students and a driver escaped.

To read that report, click here.

Less than a month later, a second fire happened on Downs Rd. The driver escaped. No kids were on board.

To read that report, click here.

After DPI inspectors sent out the warning on engines in 2011, inspectors sent the same warning in 2012 After a bus went up in flames.

The driver saved six elementary school kids on board.

In response to whether the district followed the DPI instructions, the district says “It is a CMS transportation practice now as it was in 2011 to inspect all school bus [sic] for any potential danger as described in the DPI Memo and make any necessary fixes…”

“My mom actually thinks that the government should invest more money into the school buses,” said Guiterrez.

WCCB Charlotte reached out to school board members to see if they want to upgrade CMS buses.
No comment.

WCCB Charlotte asked the DPI how many bus fires it has documented this year.
A spokesperson says the DPI does not have a central reporting system for bus fires, and schools are not required to report fires to the state.