By KRWG News
Las Cruces – The Las Cruces Fire Department quickly extinguished a bus fire Sunday at E. Amador Avenue and S. Solano Drive.
Fire crews were finishing breakfast at Delicias Restaurant, 9:32 am, when smoke was noticed coming from a westbound bus on Amador. In less than one minute, nine fire personnel were on scene, working to put the fire out.
Firefighters encountered flames and heavy smoke coming from the engine compartment at the rear of the bus. Heavy smoke inside the passenger compartment forced the driver and 34 passengers to evacuate the bus, of which, approximately half were assisted out by fire personnel. The fire was contained and extinguished within minutes.
The bus line was Greyhound Americanos, traveling from Denver, Colorado enroute to El Paso, Texas. Approximately one hour later, the passengers loaded up on another bus embarking to their final destination. The on call fire investigator, Robert Galaz said, "The driver of the bus noticed smoke coming from the back of the bus and he pulled over. There is an advantage to the fire crews getting out into the community. The people traveling on the bus were very appreciative of the Las Cruces Fire Department and their response to this fire."
There were no civilian or fire fighter injuries reported.
The bus sustained fire and heavy smoke damage. Property from the baggage compartments was salvaged, as well as, a majority of the onboard personal property.
The fire originated from the engine compartment. Galaz estimated the loss to be approximately $30,000.