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Disney fans attempting to turn onto Buena Vista Drive were met with unexpected closures earlier this week after a Disney bus fire occurred on the West Osceola Parkway Exit Ramp.

The July 20th incident was initially shared on Reddit, where photos show plumes of smoke billowing from the back end of the vehicle.

Disney’s free transportation has been a point of contention for fans lately after the park banned certain guests from using the resort buses and water taxis. Following that ban, the Disney Springs bus station looked like a total ghost town.

Luckily, no one was injured during the recent bus fire, and the exit ramp closure only lasted a few hours. Online, parkgoers were quick to poke fun at the situation, with some noting that this isn’t the first bus fire the park has dealt with.

Here’s a closer look at what happened and what fans are saying.

Disney Fans Make Light Of Recent Bus Fire

On Reddit, a person driving in the area shared photos and described what happened from their perspective.

“Be careful getting off of Osceola Parkway if you’re trying to get to Buena Vista Drive and the All Star Resorts or McDonald’s,” the Redditor said. “The right lane was clear, and you can turn left and right. I was able to get through it on my way back from my day itinerary on I-Drive. From what I saw, I think everyone got out of the bus okay and are safely on the side of the road.”

With passengers safely evacuated and no injuries reported, Disney lovers began making a few jokes about the smoke. Here’s a quick look at some of their comments:

Other commenters left more serious remarks, discussing the bus’s fire suppression system.

“Do they have automatic fire suppression? Looks like an extinguisher went off in the back with all the residue on the ground,” one user said.

Another added, “So all that powder on the road is from the fire suppression system in the engine compartment.”

Bus fires, while not exactly common, do happen, especially when exacerbated by stifling summer heat. According to the Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI), fire and thermal incidents on buses have increased in recent years.

As for Disney World, a handful of bus fires have occurred in the area over the past few years. Let’s take a look at some of those incidents.

Disney World Bus Fires Over The Years

Back in 2015, a third-party charter traveling from Miami to Disney World caught fire on the Port St. Lucie Turnpike. The vehicle was carrying 50 teenagers and four adults at the time. Luckily, no one was injured, but the bus was irreparable.

In 2011, a Disney-branded transportation bus caught fire, temporarily shutting down all bus traffic directly to and from the Magic Kingdom’s main entrance. According to guest reporting, no one was injured in that incident either.

Vehicle fires like these are tied to all kinds of causes. Most commonly, an engine failure is to blame.

What Causes Bus Fires

The OTSI says bus fires can usually be traced back to a few key areas: the engine, the body, and the wheel well. Some of these areas are more likely culprits than others.

For example, 54% of the time, the engine is to blame. Meanwhile, the body accounts for 25% of fires, and the wheel well for 21%. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

The OTSI also notes, “While bus fires can spread quickly, thermal incidents such as smoke coming from the engine bay or wheel well are early warning signs of potential fire. These can be prevented or reduced by checking the top key parts responsible.”

For those traveling around Disney World using the free transit system, remember that bus fires are not common occurrences and even when accidents do happen, passenger safety is always prioritized.