About 45 Transparent BPO employees are fortunate to be alive after their bus burst into flames on the way to work. It happened around 6:45 this morning between miles 8 and 9 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Courtney Weatherburne was on the scene. Here is her story.
A routine trip to work turned into a ride to hell when this Transparent BPO bus caught on fire.
Insp. Wilfredo Ferrufino - CIB Investigator
"Ladyville police responded to a bus fire between 8 and 9 miles on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Upon arrival they discovered a bus that is owned by Transparent BPO on fire."
According to the bus driver, Branson Rhaburn, he was heading to Belize City from Orange Walk. It was a smooth ride until he picked up a passenger at this Ladyville bus stop.
Branson Rhaburn - Bus Driver
"All I do is stop at the bus stop there, pick up one person and from there I take off and the bus just blow in fire."
Courtney Weatherburne
"So you said it started in the engine?"
Branson Rhaburn
"Yeah."
As the fire spread, everyone scrambled to get out.
Voice of Eyewtiness
"All of a sudden it start with fire and we just saw the people coming out from the back and everyone start rushing to come out."
Fortunately, all the passengers escaped unharmed and the fire department extinguished the blaze. So Rhaburn is left to move what’s now a chunk of scorched steel from the highway and to try and figure out what caused the fire.
Courtney Weatherburne
"What you think could have caused this fire?"
Branson Rhaburn
"I am not really sure, I don’t know."
Courtney Weatherburne
"Do you have any information about how often this bus is taken for service and if it is properly maintained?"
Branson Rhaburn
"Every month we maintain this bus."
Courtney Weatherburne
"So you would say you are a little surprised this happened?"
Branson Rhaburn
"Very surprised that this happened."
It is unclear what started the fire.
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