A deadly fire broke out early Friday morning on a tour bus traveling eastbound on the 60 Freeway in Los Angeles County, killing one person and snarling morning traffic. Emergency services responded to a report of a collision and fire near Azusa Avenue at approximately 5:39 a.m. Firefighters arrived within minutes to find the bus engulfed in flames.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said the blaze is believed to have started in the engine compartment. Fire crews found a large quantity of cargo inside and beneath the vehicle, including several propane tanks, which complicated their response. As firefighters searched the area where the fire began, they found one person deceased. Another individual was taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation; their condition was not immediately disclosed.
Footage from Sky5 showed the bus, operated by Viajes Azteca, severely damaged by fire, with luggage and personal belongings scattered nearby. Several passengers escaped the burning vehicle. Witnesses reported that most were asleep when smoke began filling the bus. The driver reportedly shouted for everyone to evacuate and pulled over, giving passengers a chance to get out before the flames spread rapidly.
Passengers told KTLA’s Kimberly Cheng that the bus had left East L.A. earlier that morning, bound for Mexico. One passenger estimated that about 20 people were on board. Another passenger, Maria Elena Dominguez, said she believed the victim was an elderly woman seated at the back. She described the chaos as everyone rushed to escape. Authorities have not yet released the deceased person’s identity.
The incident forced the closure of three eastbound lanes on the 60 Freeway, leaving only two lanes open and backing up traffic for several miles toward the 605 Freeway. Caltrans helped manage the closures, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner was notified. The fire department wrapped up its response by 7:37 a.m., but the California Highway Patrol continued its investigation and lane restrictions into the morning.
Tour bus fires pose serious risks because of flammable materials and the chance that passengers may be asleep or resting when a fire starts. U.S. commercial buses must meet safety regulations, including inspection requirements. The 60 Freeway is a basic route for local commuters and long-distance travelers. As of Friday afternoon, officials had provided no further details about the cause of the fire or the victim’s identity.
