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ANDERSON COUNTY, South Carolina (WYFF) — No injuries were reported after a Georgia-bound charter bus carrying 31 kids and 5 adults caught fire along I-85. The congregation inside said they found comfort in the kindness of strangers across the Upstate in the hours that followed.
On Wednesday, Youth leader Grisel Torres and the La Iglesia de Dios Ebenezer congregation shuttled by bus to the Church of God camp in Simpsonville. The camp is something the group works tirelessly to raise funds for every year.
“What it did is just kind of amplify that anticipation, that sense of anticipation that they were feeling because it’s like, you know, they worked for this. And so camp was them enjoying the fruit of that labor,” Torres said.
Three days later, after making fond memories of worship and friendship, the group started the trek home to Snellville, Georgia.
Torres remembers hearing a pop just 20 minutes into the ride home. Then, the bus started shaking and jolting.
“Immediately, we realized something was not okay,” Torres said.
Torres said the bus pulled over quickly and evacuated everyone on board. This included the young campers, their church leaders and the driver.
“We didn’t know if the bus was going to explode or what was going to happen. So, our priority in that moment was just getting everybody off quickly,” Torres said. “Before you knew it, you know, I mean half the bus was up in flames. I just remember if felt like forever… like an eternity in the moment.”
The Anderson County 911 dispatch center received 17 calls from onlookers on Saturday who watched smoke and fire spread through the bus.
One person described the flames “as big as a washtub.”
Minutes later, volunteer firefighters with Wren Fire District came to aid the fiery scene, alongside other first responders. Torres remembers how thoughtful they were to the group as they battled the blaze.
Torres’ husband attempted to salvage what he could from the fire. Torres said the campers, aged 13 to 24, stepped in to help despite the terrifying situation they experienced minutes before.
“Everyone was taking out luggages, we had an assembly line going,” Torres laughed. “They are a brave, brave bunch. A silly, goofy bunch. I’m just so proud of them. I’m so, so proud of our youth group. Like, they really just showed that maturity and that character, and this difficult moment. And I don’t think many people would have probably reacted the same way.”
While the group waited, stranded with luggage alongside the interstate, passersby offered water, a fire extinguisher and a prayer.
The Love’s truck stop down the road offered the group shelter as they waited for another charter bus to take them back home.
“The sun is blazing. We’re stranded on the side of the highway. It’s that extra cushion that you need. You need that comfort, that emotional comfort, that. Okay. Yes. We just went through this crazy situation that nobody expected, but we’re safe,” Torres said. “We survived it, we endured it. And we are on the other side of it now.”
The congregation is back home in Snellville, and Torres said the kids are in good spirits. They make jokes to heal from the chaos.
Many of their belongings, including luggage, medication and electronics, were lost in the fire.
The group has started a GoFundMe to support the recovery.
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