Charter bus catches fire in Missaukee Co., all passengers get off safely

MISSAUKEE COUNTY — On Monday, the Merritt Area Fire Department responded to a charter bus fire on M-55 near Stevens Road in Aetna Township. Dispatch said all 34 passengers were off the bus and that the engine compartment was involved in fire.

MAFD and the Lake Missaukee Fire Department put out the fire while the Sheriff’s Office handled traffic control. Lake City Area Schools sent a school bus to get the passengers and their luggage to their destination in the Houghton Lake Area.

Once the fire was out, the Grand Rapids-based charter bus was towed and debris was cleared. The incident impacted traffic for over four hours.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported.