School Bus Engulfed in Flames in Ariccia; All Students Safe
Ariccia, January 30 – Panic erupted in the Castelli Romani area this morning when a school shuttle bus, transporting several high school students, suddenly caught fire. The incident occurred around 8:00 AM on Via Ramo d’Oro, a road connecting the municipalities of Ariccia and Genzano di Roma. Fortunately, all students were promptly evacuated as smoke and flames emerged from the rear engine compartment, and no injuries were reported.
Emergency Response and Road Closure
Upon noticing the smoke and flames, the driver quickly stopped the bus and ensured the safe evacuation of all students. Emergency services were immediately alerted via 112. Firefighters, local police, and carabinieri from the Genzano station swiftly arrived at the scene to manage the blaze. Technicians from Italgas were also dispatched as the flames had reportedly affected a gas meter. To facilitate firefighting operations and ensure public safety, Via Ramo d’Oro was temporarily closed to traffic.
Concerns Raised by Local Councilors
The incident has prompted a strong reaction from the Movimento Città Futura municipal councilors in Genzano di Roma. Flavio Gabbarini and Cristian Di Veronica announced their intention to submit a council query to the mayor and the council. They plan to request thorough checks on the status of the vehicle fleet serving urban and suburban transport routes, particularly the school lines, by the service management company.
“This morning, a school shuttle bus that also serves the municipality of Genzano di Roma caught fire on Via Ramo d’Oro,” stated the councilors. “With our municipal councilors Flavio Gabbarini and Cristian Di Veronica, we are today submitting a council query to the mayor and the council to request checks on the status of the vehicle fleet that serves urban and suburban transport routes, and in particular the school lines, by the company managing the service. We are confident that safeguarding everyone’s safety will lead to unanimous calls for controls to prevent similar situations from recurring.”
Investigation Underway
While the immediate danger has passed, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities will be working to determine the exact circumstances that led to the bus catching fire. The quick actions of the driver and the rapid response of emergency services were crucial in preventing any casualties in what could have been a much more severe incident.
This event highlights the importance of regular maintenance and safety checks for all public transport vehicles, especially those transporting vulnerable passengers like schoolchildren. Local officials are expected to address the concerns raised by the Movimento Città Futura to ensure the continued safety of transport services in the region.
