Bus Carrying UMass Lowell Students Catches Fire in Westwood

A bus carrying the UMass Lowell Marching Band members caught fire in Westwood, Massachusetts, on Sunday, Oct. 19.

The bus fire happened on High Street in Westwood. A school spokesman told CBS News Boston that the students were traveling to a band show at Norwood High School when one of them detected a "noxious" smell and saw smoke and flames.

Approximately 50 students, most of them from the band's percussion section, were on the bus at the time. The school reported that everyone got off the bus safely. One student was evaluated for smoke inhalation but did not need to be taken to the hospital. No injuries were reported.

According to a 7NEWS Boston report, the bus carried nearly $100,000 in band equipment. Westwood Firefighters Local 1994 said that fire and rescue crews were able to save almost all of the equipment from the bus.

A replacement bus was arranged to transport the students, and a truck carrying the band equipment arrived at Norwood High School. The UMass Lowell Marching Band performed at the band show, which the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association hosted.

The band's director told 7NEWS that Sunday's performance was his proudest moment in his 47-year career. UMass Lowell's next scheduled performance is in Quincy on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Investigators have not determined how the fire started.