On February 25, 2025, the Indiana University men’s basketball team faced a terrifying and unprecedented incident when their team bus caught fire while traveling to a scheduled game. The alarming event took place on a highway near Bloomington, Indiana, just hours before the team was set to face off against a conference rival.

According to reports, the bus was carrying the full roster of the Indiana Hoosiers, including players, coaching staff, and support personnel. Fortunately, the fire broke out while the bus was on a relatively low-traffic section of the road, giving everyone aboard enough time to evacuate safely before the flames spread.

The driver of the bus, whose quick thinking and calm response in the face of the emergency were credited with preventing potential injuries, immediately pulled over to the side of the road as soon as he noticed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. He quickly alerted the passengers, urging them to exit the vehicle and move to a safe distance. In a statement issued shortly after the incident, Indiana University officials confirmed that all members of the basketball team were unharmed. The university also expressed gratitude for the quick actions of the driver, as well as the first responders who arrived on the scene shortly thereafter.

Local firefighters from the Bloomington Fire Department were quick to respond to the emergency call. They were able to contain the blaze within minutes of arriving, though the bus was completely destroyed by the fire. Witnesses reported seeing thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky as the flames consumed the vehicle. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with authorities speculating that it may have been an engine malfunction or electrical failure.

In the aftermath of the fire, the Indiana Hoosiers’ athletic department worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. While the team was initially stranded on the side of the road, local transportation companies were called in to provide a replacement vehicle to transport the players and staff to the game, which was subsequently rescheduled. A statement from the university emphasized that the incident would not disrupt the team’s season and that every effort was being made to minimize the impact of the disruption on their schedule.

Despite the traumatic nature of the experience, the Indiana basketball players and coaches were reportedly in good spirits. Players expressed gratitude for their safety and for the prompt response of emergency services. Coach Mike Woodson, who has led the Hoosiers to considerable success during his tenure, praised the resilience and professionalism of his team. “This was a scary moment for all of us,” Woodson said in an interview after the incident. “But we’re all safe, and that’s what matters most.”

The incident quickly became the talk of social media, with fans and basketball observers across the country expressing relief that no one was injured in the fire. The team’s resilience in the face of such a frightening event has earned them praise, and many are looking forward to seeing how the Hoosiers respond in their upcoming games.

As for the bus, it was completely rendered unusable, and the athletic department has already begun working with the appropriate insurance and recovery services to handle the aftermath. The investigation into the fire is still ongoing, but for now, the focus remains on the well-being of the Indiana basketball team and their immediate recovery from this terrifying experience.