Bus with Boy Scouts catches fire in Bartow

A charter bus carrying Boy Scouts from Cherokee County caught fire Saturday afternoon and temporarily blocked two southbound lanes of I-75 near mile marker 291 in Bartow County.

About 1 p.m., a mechanical problem caused a fire in the engine compartment, Bartow County Fire Department Battalion Chief Sandy Turner said. The bus had 35 passengers — 32 Boy Scouts and three adults, including the driver, Turner said. The troop was based out of Hickory Flat Church in Cherokee, he said.

“The only injuries are complaints of smoke inhalation,” Bartow sheriff’s Sgt. Jonathan Rogers said.

Two right lanes of I-75 reopened about 2 p.m., Turner said.

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