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.

ExploreClick here for up-to-the-minute traffic reports all weekend.

About the Author

Daniel Wilco

Brookhaven removes colored glass from City Centre dome after uproar

Some say the colors were too bright, the dome looked like ice cream with sprinkles and the hues distracted from the building’s muted design.

‘Big Beautiful Bill’ strikes fear in Georgia’s clean energy, EV sectors

If the Senate's One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes, it would eliminate tax credits for EV purchases and installing solar panels and end subsidies for clean energy companies

Sneaker Con draws masses to Atlanta for shoes and status

One Sneaker Con attendee Saturday in Atlanta said: 'Once you have that rush of buying, buying, buying, it’s like a drug. You can’t stop.'

The Latest

Credit: Ben Hendren for the AJC

A.M. ATL: Energy zap

Brookhaven removes colored glass from City Centre dome after uproar

‘Big Beautiful Bill’ strikes fear in Georgia’s clean energy, EV sectors

Featured

Credit: AP

Senate GOP passes budget bill Democrats describe as ‘a catastrophe’

Republicans in the U.S. Senate have passed the “big, beautiful bill” championed by President Donald Trump, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote.

State Farm Arena top 5 globally in box office — behind only Sphere, MSG in U.S.

State Farm Arena brought in about $76.2 million across 60 events.

At a store that never closes, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch

At JJ Food Mart on the west side of Atlanta, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch. If you misbehave, Connell Daniels Jr. might put you on Instagram.