The driver of a Budget Rent A Car shuttle bus hurried about a dozen passengers off his bus moments before it burst into flames Friday afternoon, a county fire-rescue spokesman said.
The driver, who shuttles travelers between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the rental car office, was at Griffin Road and Federal Highway when he saw smoke rising from the back of the bus, Broward Sheriff's Office Fire Rescue Lt. Dave Erdman said.
Karen Hawthorne, and her friend Marcy Kahn, had just arrived from Dallas and were aboard the bus to pick up a rental car and start their Florida vacation.
"We were sitting in the back and we smelled smoke," Hawthorne said. "We yelled to the driver and he stopped the bus. Then it started getting real smoky inside.
"Everybody stayed calm and made their way out."
The driver and a few of the passengers helped a handicapped woman safely off the bus. Just after everyone got off, the bus burst into flames, and soon was enveloped, Hawthorne said.
Firefighters arrived within five minutes of receiving the emergency call to find the vehicle was engulfed in flames, Erdman said.
Crews quickly doused the flames and began an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
Passengers trudged with their luggage along Taylor Road to the Budget rental terminal.
"It was scary; we feel real lucky," Hawthorne said as she wheeled her bag down Taylor Road. "Some way to start a vacation."
