A dramatic explosion rocked a Shreveport, Louisiana street on Wednesday after a public transit bus emblazoned with the words “Call on Jesus” erupted in flames — followed by a powerful blast that scattered debris and caused damage to nearby vehicles and buildings.
The incident, which unfolded outside a Fresenius Kidney Care facility, was captured on video by stunned witnesses. “I felt that one,” one man can be heard saying after the loud explosion echoed through the area.
According to the Shreveport Fire Department, the vehicle involved was a SporTran bus — part of the city’s public transportation system — and was already engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene. Crews noted that one of the bus’s compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel tanks had an open relief valve, and flames were erupting from the tank.
While police and fire crews quickly established a perimeter to protect bystanders, the situation escalated when the fuel tank ruptured, triggering a violent secondary explosion. The blast intensified the fire and led to widespread damage in the immediate area.
“The rupture led to secondary damage affecting several nearby businesses, vehicles, and the concrete pavement where the bus was stopped,” the fire department said.
Fire officials said it took 18 firefighters to fully contain the flames. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The bus driver and all passengers were able to evacuate safely, according to local news outlet KTAL.
“At this time, we do know there has been heavy damage,” said Daniel McDonnell of the fire department. “The explosion damaged the roadway and buildings on both sides of the street — including an apartment complex and a nearby commercial property.”