New York Times Writer Documents Megabus Fire En Route From Chicago
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBSNewYork/CBS Chicago) -- A New York Times travel writer was on board Sunday when a Megabus caught fire in the northern suburbs of Chicago.
The Lake Forest, Illinois Fire Department received a call around 12:15 p.m. Central Time of the bus on fire on southbound Route 41 in the Lake County, Illinois municipality, CBS Chicago reported.
The bus was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived on the scene.
All of the approximately 40 passengers and the driver got off the bus safely and no injuries were reported, CBS Chicago reported.
"When I heard the first boom I was in the bathroom and I came out to a lot of smoke," said passenger Russicha Watkins told WBBM-TV, CBS2.
Lucas Peterson, who writes as "The Frugal Traveler" for the New York Times, tweeted that he was on the bus and took pictures of the bus in flames. He tweeted out a summary of what happened.
The bus was reduced to a burned-out husk after the blaze, but incredibly, no one was injured, WBBM-CBS2's Sandra Torres reported.
All of the luggage on the bus except one suitcase was destroyed in the fire, CBS affiliate WDJT-TV, Milwaukee reported.
"I lost everything I owned," said passenger Meranda Medley. "All my clothes, like everything. I don't have anything left."
"I lost everything, my Social Security card, all my clothes because I was trying to move, trying to start over," said passenger Terry Griffith.
Peterson also tweeted pictures of some of the passengers while reporting on what they said they lost.
Megabus says the bus was traveling to Minneapolis, with a stop in Milwaukee on the way, WDJT reported.
"Safety is our top priority and Megabus.com is fully cooperating with the authorities with their investigation into the incident," said Sean Hughes, director of corporate affairs for Coach USA America.
The passengers were placed on another bus that reached Milwaukee at 4 p.m. Central time, WDJT reported.
