Flames engulf university lacrosse team bus, stranding team on Schuylkill Expressway

GULPH MILLS, Pa. (FOX 29) - A road trip the Southern Virginia University lacrosse team won't soon forget as their bus catches fire on the Schuylkill Expressway, leaving them stranded and causing a traffic nightmare.

"I wake up and look over and there's smoke everywhere, two feet of flames on the side. So, I grabbed what was at my feet and just got off," said Dominic King.

Southern Virginia University sophomore Dominic King describes the moments after the men's lacrosse team tour bus caught fire on the Schuylkill Expressway. It was after rush hour around 8 p.m. Friday. The team heading east for a Saturday match with Stockton University in Atlantic County. The 45 people on board were able to disembark safely. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Bright-eyed and full of youthful exuberance, the boys are in good spirits, thankful no one was hurt. But, coach Jason Lamb knows this win came on a razor thin margin.

"It's been a blessing they didn't freak out or panic. We moved like a machine getting off the bus. Took us a minute, once we parked. Everyone was off and that was critical because of the smoke and flame," explained Southern University Athletic Director Jason Lamb. "The firefighters were incredible. They're lucky to be alive and we are and grateful."

The team has another bus and they stopped at a local store to buy equipment to replace the stuff they lost to flames. A memorable trip before the game even starts.