HAMPTON -- Retired firefighter George James unexpectedly reunited with his old crew Thursday afternoon after the bus he was driving caught fire near the New Hampshire state liquor store on Interstate 95.
Fire Chief Hank Lipe said a call from James came in around 1 p.m., but it wasn't to catch up on old times.
"He called us direct and told us there was a fire in his bus," Chief Lipe said.
Fire Lt. Brian Wiser said crews quickly responded to the state liquor store on the southbound lane only to find flames shooting 25 feet in the air from the engine of the bus.
Wiser said the bus, owned by C&J Trailways, was occupied by 10 passengers at the time.
"He reverted back to his old firefighting days and got everyone safely off the bus," Wiser said. "He even managed to save some luggage."
When firefighters arrived, James stepped aside and let them do their work.
The fire was put out in fewer than 10 minutes, but crews remained at the scene to assist the state in cleanup.
"He didn't really say much to us," Wiser said. "We put the fire out and after it was done he came over to shake our hands. I just wish we could have met again under a better condition."
Jim Jalbert, president of C&J Trailways, said the bus was heading to South Station in Boston. Another bus came to the liquor store to pick up the stranded passengers, Jalbert said.
Fire Inspector Jeffrey LeDuc said the probable cause of the fire was heat from the engine coming into contact with flammable liquids from the engine.
The fire was mostly contained to the rear engine compartment with some extension into the rear passenger area.
James told firefighters he was driving on I-95 south when he noticed smoke coming from the engine. He quickly pulled over in the liquor store parking lot and evacuated the bus.
Wiser said the interior of the bus received smoke damage and the engine is completely destroyed.
James became a part-time bus driver for the company based out of Portsmouth after he retired from the fire department.
Republished with permission from The Portsmouth Herald
