A bus carrying the UMass Lowell marching band caught fire on High Street near Grove Street in Westwood, prompting an emergency evacuation of all 50 students. Multiple fire engines and an ambulance responded to the scene after receiving the call just after 1:30 p.m, according to Westwood Firefighters Local 1994's Facebook page.
Fire crews found the bus fully engulfed and worked for about 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control. One student was evaluated for smoke inhalation, and nearly all of the band’s equipment, stored in the bus’s undercarriage, was recovered.
The Westwood Fire Department declared a Full Recall to manage the incident and other ongoing emergencies, bringing in off-duty firefighters for support. The Norwood and Needham Fire Departments provided mutual aid for station coverage and an additional medical response.
