1 killed after fire engulfs tour bus on 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights

HACIENDA HEIGHTS, Calif. (KABC) -- One person was killed when a massive fire erupted on a tour bus Friday morning on the 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights, authorities said.

The blaze was reported shortly after 5:30 a.m. on the right shoulder of the eastbound side of the freeway, according to a California Highway Patrol incident log.

Firefighters responded and extinguished the flames, which burned out more than half of the bus.

According to the CHP, 18 people were on board including the driver when the bus started smoking and then caught fire.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene. Passengers told ABC7 that the victim was a woman sitting toward the back of the bus.

"She stayed there. Maybe she was asleep because I was also asleep, but I managed to hear and left fast," said Ofelia Ramos, a passenger.

The tour bus company is based in East L.A. Federal records show the bus has a current satisfactory safety rating, with staff telling ABC7 that their vehicles are insured.

Several lanes were closed for the majority of the morning commute.

The name of the victim has not been released, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.