Members of veteran ska band Reel Big Fish escaped unharmed when their tour bus caught fire at a truck stop in Kingdom City, Mo. The six band members and three crewmen were sleeping on the bus Saturday morning when the blaze started.
The band was on its way to a show at the Blue Note in Columbia, Mo., as part of a five-week tour to promote its latest Mojo/Jive album “Cheer Up,” released in July. The set debuted at No. 115 on The Billboard 200.
Bus driver Ron Mullholland noticed smoke pouring from the bus after he bought a cup of coffee at a truck stop, and alerted the band. Trumpet player Tyler Jones said Mullholland saved his life. “He was nice enough to come in and say, ‘Get off the bus, or you will all die,'” Jones said.
The cause of the blaze, which took about 30 minutes to extinguish, was unknown.
“Thankfully no one was hurt, no shows will be canceled, and the show will go on,” the band writes on its official Web site. “Reel Big Fish sends a big thanks to the fire fighters and everyone who’s helped them get back on the road so quickly! Hope to see you at the shows soon!”
The group plays Rochester, N.Y., tonight (Oct. 14).
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