Bus Blaze: Fire on Thanksgiving Eve engulfs 45-foot tour bus in Delta County – Bus inferno battled by several fire departments and closed M-35 delaying holiday travel

Tour bus fire fought by Baldwin Township Volunteer Fire Department, Tri-County Volunteer Fire Department and the Brampton Township Volunteer Fire Department

Photo of bus fire courtesy Sarah Wakkuri – taken by her sister.

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Perkins, MI) – A large Thanksgiving eve fire engulfed a 45-foot commercial tour bus in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and shutdown M-35 in Delta County this afternoon (Wed. Nov. 23, 2016) – a fire that could be seen for miles despite snowy overcast conditions.

At least three fire departments battled the blaze that left traffic stopped – or down to one lane – for several hours on M-35 south of Perkins, MI.

The blazing bus fire incident is thought to be mechanical as it started in the engine area – and is being probed by the Michigan State Police – Gladstone Post.

The blaze was reported just after 1 p.m.

“I can see the smoke, ” said a firefighter aboard the first firetruck before arriving at the blaze.

Those fighting the blaze included the Baldwin Township Volunteer Fire Department, Tri-County Volunteer Fire Department and the Brampton Township Volunteer Fire Department.

The bus burned along M-35 about two miles south of Perkins. The incident caused huge delays for holiday traffic trying to escape the U.P. for Thanksgiving – and for those trying to arrive before weather conditions completely deteriorated. Numerous rollover accidents – one every other minute – were reported across the U.P. during the half hour after the fire.

There were no passengers on board at the time.  The driver – a 60 year-old Gwinn man – was not injured