Whitefish speech and debate students safe after bus fire in Ronan

A Rocky Mountain Transportation activity bus caught fire Saturday after transporting the Whitefish High School speech and debate team to a tournament in Ronan.

Ronan Fire Chief Chris Adler said crews were dispatched to Ronan Middle School at 5:30 p.m., after a passerby noticed the coach bus was on fire. 

All of the students were inside the school still participating in the tournament when the fire consumed the bus. The bus driver suffered some injuries and was treated for smoke inhalation. 

Whitefish students had recently loaded the bus with belongings prior to heading back into the school for the awards ceremony. Most belongings were destroyed in the fire.  

Adler said about 15 volunteer firefighters responded to the scene. When they arrived, the engine in the back of the bus was already engulfed.  

“These things happen. A bus is a machine... and that’s how machines are. It was not due to the fault of anyone,” Adler said, who is a fulltime mechanic. 

It took firefighters about two hours to put out the fire and clear the scene.  

Whitefish High School students were bussed home with transportation provided by the Ronan School District. 

“The students and parents involved are our main focus right now,” said Seth Soley of Rocky Mountain Transportation in a phone call with the Pilot on Monday, Nov. 25.  

“We’re just happy that no one was injured. We take safety very seriously. We are purpose driven toward those affected by this,” Soley said. 

Rocky Mountain Transporation planned a meeting with students and parents on Tuesday, Nov. 26.  

“If we have any further reports and details such as recovery on salvageable items, we will share that with them as soon as possible,” Soley said.  

Whitefish Speech and Debate Coach Sara Mueller said the team will look to stay positive.  

“It was an unfortunate incident, but we’re infinitely grateful for the support and safety of the team and the driver,” Mueller said.  

“There were about 16 high schools at the event, all offering rides home by splitting the team up. But what was great was that we were able to ride home together,” Mueller said.  

Whitefish Superintendent Dave Means said the district is awaiting incident reports from Rocky Mountain Transportation and the fire department. 

Soley said an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.