A huge tour bus fire killed at least one person Friday morning on the 60 Freeway, according to officials.
The incident happened around 5:38 a.m. in the area of State Route 60 and Azusa Avenue in Hacienda Heights, a California Highway Police incident log reported.
Police received a report of a bus fire on the freeway’s right shoulder with a fire raging on the rear of the bus.
Police received a report of a bus fire on the freeway’s right shoulder with a fire on the rear of the bus. Instagram/@SanGabrielValleyNews
The tour bus appeared to be associated with Viajes Azteca, a Mexican travel company. The California Post contacted a Pacoima location, and an employee was aware of the incident but could not confirm whether the bus was theirs and would not offer any details. Instagram/@SanGabrielValleyNews
The tour bus appeared to be associated with Viajes Azteca, a Mexican travel company. The California Post contacted a Pacoima location, and an employee was aware of the incident but could not confirm whether the bus was theirs and would not offer any details.
Around 6:50 a.m., officials discovered at least one person dead, and the incident was changed from a car fire to a fatality incident. Facebook/Viajes Azteca
Around 6:50 a.m., officials discovered at least one person dead, and the incident was changed from a car fire to a fatality incident.
Images from the scene show the back half of the touring vehicle badly burnt out, as flames appeared to have engulfed several rows of seating.
At least one person was killed in a bus fire on the 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights. NBC
Police have requested the Los Angeles County Coroner to visit the scene. FOX LA
Images from the scene show the back half of the touring vehicle badly burnt out, as flames appeared to have engulfed several rows of seating. FOX LA
The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene and has extinguished the blaze.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department has responded to the scene to assist with the fire. FOX LA
A SigAlert has been issued as the third and fourth lanes of the freeway have been closed, the incident log said.
Hacienda Heights is in eastern Los Angeles County.
Police have requested the Los Angeles County Coroner to visit the scene.
It’s unclear what started the fire. The bus did not appear to have been involved in a crash, and the luggage compartments on the bus were open.
A Department of Transportation snapshot for Viajes Azteca lists no reported crashes for the company in the last two years. The company had 19 vehicle inspections, with 5 resulting in an out-of-service designation also within the last two years. Viajes Azteca’s out-of-service rate came in slightly above the U.S. average.
The carrier currently has a “satisfactory” safety rating.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.