About a dozen young freestyle skiers form all over the Unites States got an exciting introduction to life in Canada last week when the bus they were on caught fire on Hwy. 99 between Squamish and Whistler.
The group was traveling north from Vancouver International Airport on a Vancouver Shuttle Company bus when the vehicle started losing power just south of Conroy Creek Forest Service Road.
Firefighter Bob Fulton of Squamish Fire Rescue said he believes the bus had a fuel leak and the fuel was dropping onto the exhaust manifold.
According to Cpl. Dave Ritchie of the RCMP, the driver pulled the bus over and it erupted into flames.
A number of people driving on the highway noticed the disabled bus and saw flames coming from the vehicle and called 911.
Ritchie said everyone got off the bus and nobody was hurt.
"We responded with a pumper and a pumper/tanker from Squamish and attacked the fire with foam, resulting in a quick knock down," Fulton said. "Garibaldi Fire Department responded, as well.
"Unfortunately, the bus was a total loss as was their luggage and all their ski gear," said Fulton.
The skiers were from a number of U.S. cities; including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Denver.Fulton said the skiers were mostly teenagers but some were younger.
