Boy Notices An Odd Smell On School Bus Ride And Alerts Driver Just In Time

Being observant and vigilant of your surroundings can turn you from an average person to a real hero. This is exactly what happened to a fourth-grader named Rocco Arcese while riding the school bus headed to Joyce Kilmer Middle School in New Jersey.

It was a typical school day for Rocco. And just hours later, this regular student is being praised for his quick actions!

The 11-year-old got on the bus to school. It was barely 300 yards on Chapel Road since they left the bus stop when he started smelling something odd. He could smell some type of burning. In an interview later on, with CBS New York, he said that it reminded him of burnt rubber. He figured that it would be best to alert the driver.

He said, “I was like, ‘We should get off. And he was like, ‘Yeah, I’m packing up!”

Thanks to Rocco’s quick observation, he and the bus driver managed to get off the bus just moments before it burst into flames. As it turned out, the engine compartment at the front of the vehicle had a mechanical problem. And within minutes, flames engulfed the school bus burning its front end and destroying the seats as well.

Rocco’s mom, Stacy Perone-Arcese, said, “It was very hot. The scene was very hot.”

The police and firefighters immediately responded to the scene. And while respondents were attending to the fire, Rocco called his mom telling her that he needed to be picked up. When she arrived, she was stopped by a police officer.

She shared, “The officer told me they talked to Rocco, that he was safe, and that he was very calm, very brave. They said he was the calmest kid they’d ever seen in a situation like that.”

Unfortunately, the bus had to be towed after the firefighters were able to contain the situation.

Talking about the incident, Rocco said, “I didn’t freak out. I don’t know why.”

His mom wasn’t totally surprised by how her son responded to the situation. He is an award-winning downhill racer and he performs well under pressure. She said, “That’s the kind of kid he is. Nothing rattles him. I’m kind of glad there weren’t other kids on that bus. They might’ve been scared. Rocco’s something else: He knew what to do.”

Rocco said that this isn’t the first time that he’s smelled smoke on a school bus. However, both he and his mother hope that this is the last.

Weeks after the incident, the Mahwah Fire Department posted a photo on Facebook, along with this caption:

“Last Night Rocco Arcese was made an honorary Mahwah Firefighter by Chief Warnet. On June 12th Rocco smelled smoke on his school bus and immediately told the driver. The driver then pulled over and with Rocco exited the bus. Soon after the bus was completely in flames. Thanks to Rocco saying something nobody was hurt.”

The post added:
“We welcome Rocco into our ranks and look forward to seeing him at drill nights. Rocco also received commendations by our elected officials but we know he probably wants to start driving Engine 425 more than anything.”

Rocco saved the day. If not for his keen observation, everyone knows that they could’ve met an accident or have put their lives in danger.