2019 UW Invitational

Stanford Track & Field Team Safe After Bus Catches On Fire

Stanford Track & Field Team Safe After Bus Catches On Fire

Stanford's track team is safe after their bus caught fire while traveling to the University of Washington.

Jan 26, 2019
Stanford Track & Field Team Safe After Bus Catches On Fire

Stanford’s journey to this weekend’s University of Washington Invitational turned scary when their charter bus caught fire on Interstate 5 in Seattle with director of track and field Chris Miltenberg and approximately 30 members of the team on board. No injuries have been reported.

The fire, and its aftermath, were chronicled by senior javelin thrower Mackenzie Little, who was posting travel updates for the NCAA track and field Instagram page. The bus had a flat tire before catching fire, according to the university. 

Little’s posts show the team hurrying off the front of the bus as the rear of the bus was on fire. Later, most of the bus appeared engulfed in flames as the team watched from a distance. KING 5 News in Seattle reported that the fire caused traffic to back up for four miles.

“I’ve officially seen it all now,” Miltenberg was heard saying in one of the posts.

Another video by Little showed her luggage with the caption, "charred and soaking wet, but all accounted for." 

The team waited for two hours before being transported to the University of Washington in a city bus. Stanford will compete as scheduled in Seattle.