Bus carrying high school student athletes catches fire

A close call for some high school athletes after the bus they were riding in burst into flames.

It happened early Sunday morning in Newark, New Jersey.

Coach Damon Harrison said 32 members of the Shabazz boys and girls track and field teams were on the bus, preparing to take part in the Essex County relays in Jersey City.

Seconds later, Harrison said he started seeing smoke. He and an assistant coach started yelling at the students to get off the bus.

Everyone made it out safely, but many of the team’s uniforms and equipment were destroyed.

The coach asked the students if they wanted to turn back, but the team decided they wanted to continue on to their competition.

So another bus picked them up and took the teens to the meet.      

No word on what caused the fire.