Tour Bus Catches on Fire in Front of SMC, Santa Monica Fire Department Extinguishes the Blaze

Just before noon on Friday, Santa Monica Fire received multiple calls about a commercial tour bus on fire near the intersection of 18th and Pico Boulevard across the street from Santa Monica College.

When firefighters arrived, they observed a fully involved bus possibly extending into the nearby Subway restaurant. The units on the scene requested additional resources as a precaution for structure protection. The fire did not extend into the Subway.

All bus occupants had evacuated when firefighters arrived and needed no medical assistance. The fire had started in the rear of the bus, where the engine compartment is located, and the bus was deemed inoperable and needed to be towed.

Matthew Gonzalez

SMFD extinguish bus fire on Pico Blvd across from SMC.

Traffic on Pico between 20th Street and 17th Street was closed in both directions while crews worked to knock down the flames.