A First Student bus caught fire Thursday morning on East Fourth Street in Dunkirk. Everyone on board the bus managed to safely get off, a company spokesman said. Photo by the Dunkirk Fire Department

DUNKIRK — A driver and aide were credited with safely removing several students from a bus that caught fire during their morning route in Dunkirk.

No injuries were reported, and Dunkirk firefighters quickly knocked down the fire that broke out in the engine compartment of the First Student bus.

Tim Abbey, director of buildings, grounds and transportation for the Dunkirk City Central School District, said the driver — who was not identified by name by the school district or her employer — noted a burning smell coming from the bus around 7:15 a.m. and alerted dispatch. At the time, five elementary school students had been picked up.

“She made the decision to pull off and evacuate the kids,” Abbey said. “She got them to the other side of Fourth Street and that’s when the fire in the engine compartment was found.”

The five students were kept warm in Dunkirk Police patrol vehicles and later taken by a district van to school. Abbey said another bus was used to pick up the remaining students on the route.

“She did a fantastic job,” Abbey said. “In fact, the police couldn’t say enough good things about how she handled the situation. She got them to safety and called 911. … She made a good decision.”

In a statement, First Student said, “We are very proud of our driver in Dunkirk. The safety of the children we transport is our No. 1 priority. The driver’s immediate action was the result of the extensive training received to prepare for any situation. Happy to report that everyone was safely evacuated from the bus.”