Knoxville — A Hamilton County school bus had to be evacuated after a small engine fire on I-40 in downtown Knoxville.
The incident happened just after 4 p.m. at milemarker 388 on I-40 east near 5th Avenue and James White Parkway in downtown Knoxville, before the on ramp to I-275 north.
No visible smoke or flames could be seen from the TDOT Smartway cameras, but a fire truck was parked beside the bus, which was on the shoulder. Traffic was being diverted around the incident and is backed up in the area
Knoxville police said everyone on board was safely evacuated. Another bus picked the students up a short time later.
A substitute teacher who said they were following behind the bus told a 10News crew on scene that they saw something smoking on the back of the bus and signaled the driver. They said the driver pulled over and evacuated the kids.
The substitute said there were forty or so kids from Middle Valley Elementary School in Hixon, Tennessee on board. They had been to Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge for a field trip.
A photo from a 10News viewer showed what appears to be a group of students behind the guardrail.
This is a developing story and will be updated.