Fatal Tour Bus Fire Closes 60 Freeway Lanes in Hacienda Heights

One person has died following a massive tour bus fire on the 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights, prompting a major investigation and significant traffic disruptions.

Incident Overview

The California Highway Patrol was alerted to the blaze shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Friday, August 21, according to an official incident log. Responding units quickly discovered a tour bus engulfed in flames on the right shoulder of the eastbound lanes near Azusa Avenue. According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the fire erupted just after 5:30 a.m. and may have originated in the engine compartment, though the vehicle’s intended destination was not immediately confirmed. By the time firefighters arrived, the vehicle had already suffered extensive damage, with reports indicating that more than half of the bus was consumed by the fire. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while a second person was transported to a nearby hospital for smoke inhalation, authorities said. Information regarding how many people were on the bus when the blaze broke out was not immediately available.

Traffic Impact and Response

The severity of the incident forced authorities to close at least two eastbound lanes to conduct a thorough investigation. The closure caused heavy backups along the corridor throughout the morning commute. CHP officials advised local commuters to seek alternative routes to avoid significant delays. While crews worked to clear the roadway and extinguish the remaining hotspots, several lanes remained shut down as of 8:00 a.m.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are currently investigating the exact origin of the fire. Video footage captured passengers disembarking with their luggage before emergency services arrived. The identity of the deceased individual has not yet been released to the public.