Darien, CT (January 26, 2026) – A bus carrying dozens of passengers caught fire along Interstate 95 North in Darien on Sunday afternoon, prompting a major emergency response and temporary closure of the highway.
The incident occurred on January 25, just after 1:00 p.m. in the area of Exit 11. According to state police, the fire broke out on board a northbound passenger bus under circumstances that are still under investigation. Flames and smoke quickly engulfed part of the vehicle, prompting the driver to bring the bus to a stop and initiate evacuation procedures.
Darien Fire and Rescue teams, along with emergency medical services, were dispatched to the scene. Medical personnel evaluated approximately 50 individuals for a variety of injuries, ranging from smoke inhalation to minor trauma. Some were transported to nearby hospitals, while others were safely transferred to a secondary bus to resume their journey to Massachusetts.
Fire crews swiftly worked to extinguish the blaze, which damaged a significant portion of the vehicle. The northbound lanes of I-95 were temporarily closed to allow emergency teams to manage the situation safely. Traffic was backed up for several miles, but has since returned to normal after the scene was cleared and reopened.
Local officials, including Darien First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky, confirmed the response effort and stated that all passengers were accounted for. The cause of the fire remains under active investigation.
Our deepest concerns go out to those affected by this incident. We wish a full recovery to everyone injured and commend the emergency responders for their quick and coordinated actions.
