Bus driver saves children - A school bus driver, whose timely intervention saved the lives of 38 middle school children from a fire, has been praised as a hero.

Florida Highway Patrol officers say the incident happened on Wednesday morning around 7:42 a.m.

The Discovery Academy bus was reportedly traveling along Interstate 4 in central Florida, heading for school when it caught fire. 

Kristina Buhrman, the bus driver who saved the children, is a math teacher and was substituting for the bus driver. Reports indicate that Buhrman pulled the bus over and safely ushered all the children out moments before it burst into flames. The bus was completely destroyed near U.S. 27 in Davenport, between Tampa and Orlando.

"This could have been pretty bad. We could have had a tragic situation, but the bus driver was instrumental in pulling over," FHP Sgt. Mary Godino said. "Once she started to smell gas and smoke with that combination, she did a fabulous job."

According to local sources, the bus is suspected to have developed mechanical problems. Obeying her instincts, the bus driver parked and saved the children by evacuating them immediately. She said they were not frightened; instead they calmly complied with the emergency exit drills, which they had been taught.

"I evacuated the kids off the bus and that's when flames started coming out of the back," Buhrman said. "They did great. The kids really, truly did great."

Reports indicate that although she lost some personal possessions in the bus fire, Buhrman was pleased that all the children were safe.

Florida Highway Patrol officers say investigations into what may have triggered the bus fire have been opened. Meanwhile, school officials have told reporters that their buses get inspected every 30 days.

The 'Bus driver saves children' story has made headlines in the country. No injuries were recorded in the incident thanks to Buhrman. Local sources say officers had to shut down 1-4 in both directions for hours due to heavy plumes of smoke from the fire.