Bishop ,CA  August 4, 2023 – In the late evening hours of August 3rd, a vigilant call was made to the Bishop Volunteer Fire Department alerting them to an unusual smell of smoke. Assistant Fire Chief Pat O’Neil quickly responded to the call, setting in motion a series of events that prevented a potential disaster.

O’Neil noted that the distinct aroma resembled that of burning garbage. Concerned and determined to identify the source, he embarked on a thorough search throughout the town. His efforts led him to various locations, including the newly developing housing area behind Bishop Nursery, which is currently in the framing phase. However, each investigation turned up empty.

It was from Home Street that O’Neil finally caught a glimpse of a glimmer in the distance – the Bishop Elementary School bus yard. Following the hunch, he quickly made his way to the scene.

Upon reaching the Bishop Elementary bus yard, Assistant Chief O’Neil was met with an unexpected sight. A Bluebird electric school bus, used for transporting students, was found to be in the midst of a small but potentially hazardous fire. The flames were concentrated at the back of the bus, where critical computer equipment and cooling fans were located. O’Neil believe the fire had been smoldering for several hours, a dangerous situation that could have easily escalated.

 

Remarkably, the fire had not yet reached the bus’s batteries, a development that could have led to a catastrophic incident. However, the fire was inching closer to the bus seats, emitting only faint smoldering. Bishop Volunteer Fire Department immediately went into action, coordinating with the bus yard staff to disconnect the charging equipment. Once the immediate risk was mitigated, they executed the emergency disconnect to protect the bus’s battery system.

 

 

 

The rapid response of the Bishop Volunteer Fire Department and the collaborative effort with the bus yard staff swift actions averted a potentially disastrous situation. Had it reached the batteries it could have gotten out of control as electric batteries are extremely flammable.