KENOGAMI LAKE, Ont. — The North Bay U18 AAA Trappers hockey team was rushed off a charter bus around 7 p.m. as witnesses say the bus carrying more than 20 people had a tire blowout which led to the bus fire on Highway 11, Sunday night (see photo gallery).
All the passengers and the driver got out safely near Kenogami Lake on Highway 11, approximately 230 kilometres north of North Bay. The team was travelling back to North Bay after a game on Sunday afternoon in Kapuskasing (see video below).
Video by Carmen Anello
The passengers were taken from their location near West Sesekinika Lake Road to a hall in Kenogami Lake where they are awaiting transportation back to North Bay.
All the player's hockey gear and clothing were completely destroyed in the blaze.
"All the players belongings are still on the bus and we have lost everything," said one of the parents in a video.
Some players estimated they got off the bus at 6:51 and at 6:55 p.m. the bus exploded and went up in flames.
The highway was closed in both directions due to bus fire but re-opened at around 1 a.m. Monday morning.
