Bus catches fire on I-70 after tire blew in Hagerstown; lanes closed

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) -- All westbound lanes on Interstate 70 in Washington County were closed after a charter bus caught on fire, causing traffic to back up for several miles. The fire took place near the Interstate 81 Exit, blocking the ramp in Hagerstown. Maryland State Police told DC News Now that troopers responded to the crash just after 6:30 a.m. on May 27 for a crash involving a bus. A preliminary investigation detailed that the bus, carrying students from Virginia, was traveling along I-70 when the tire blew out. The driver pulled over, but the bus then caught on fire. The bus driver and students safely evacuated with no injuries. Once on the scene, firefighters extinguished the blaze, prompting heavy activity along I-70. A traffic camera on the highway showed several first responders on the scene, and traffic sitting at a standstill on Wednesday morning. Following the incident, the Office of Emergency Management is working alongside Williamsport Fire & EMS to provide shelter and assistance to the students on the bus. The Unified Community Connections has also donated food. The Maryland State Highway Administration noted that lane closures will remain in place for several hours. All lanes on I-70 reopened around 10:45 a.m. This crash is under investigation.