PHOTOS: Chesterfield firefighters save the day after school bus fire cuts Hopewell kids’ field trip short

Feb 27, 2025 - 22:25

0 0

PHOTOS: Chesterfield firefighters save the day after school bus fire cuts Hopewell kids’ field trip short

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- After a fire on a school bus kept a group of Hopewell elementary schoolers from enjoying their field trip as planned, a crew of Chesterfield County firefighters did the best they could to put smiles back on their faces.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Engine 218 with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS was called to a school bus fire at a shopping center on River's Bend Boulevard. They soon learned that the fire was minor and caused by the bus' brakes.

While no one was injured, the incident still threw a wrench in the plans of the bus' occupants -- a group of first and second-graders from Hopewell's Harry E. James Elementary School. According to fire officials, the bus had been bound for the Science Museum of Virginia -- a trip they could no longer make.

Firefighters Izak Jirik, Hunter Bowling and James Rhem, Jr. then made the decision to pause their work day and try to create a field trip of their very own.

Chesterfield firefighters try to brighten the days of Hopewell students after a bus fire cuts their field trip short on Feb. 26. (Photo: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)

These three firefighters showed the kids around the engine, talked to them about the various equipment Chesterfield's crews use and answered all of their questions about what it means to fight fires.

"Thank you for your efforts to make the students’ day a little brighter," fire officials said on Facebook.

Many commenters on the Facebook post praised the firefighters for their act of kindness.

"Maybe some future firefighters in that group now," one commenter said.