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CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg school bus driver is being labeled a hero Thursday evening after she was able to get six small kids off of a bus shortly before it burst into flames.

The incident happened Wednesday evening on Bearmore Drive in South Charlotte. Lindora Richardson was finishing her route driving home kids from Chantilly Montessori Elementary School.
 
Thursday, Richardson explained what happened.
 
"I just smelled something weird and I saw the smoke come from under the steering column and I knew it was time to go. Me and the kids," said Richardson.
 
Richardson took the six students out the back emergency door and away from the bus. She said all of the students remained calm which helped her stay calm as well. Minutes later the bus caught on fire. CMS officials say all of their drivers take multiple safety classes.
 
"It's part of their training. A cool head always prevails," said Eric Jaeger, a transportation specialist with CMS.

Nonetheless, officials call Richardson a hero.
 
"I feel she saved the lives of the six children. That takes a special person. I would call her a hero," said Jaeger.

The bus driver said it smelled like an electrical fire. However, CMS officials would not confirm the cause of the fire only saying it was under investigation. Read the most recent bus inspection report for Bus #295.