Madera heroes honored for saving students from burning bus

MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A imaginable nightmare for Madera Unified parents was prevented by a brace of unexpected heroes.

And connected Tuesday, the brave men liable for redeeming the lives of 20 schoolhouse children were honored by the Madera County Board of Supervisors and others.

September 4 started arsenic a emblematic workday for Carlos Perea and Angel Zarco.

Until Perea noticed fume coming from a Madera Unified schoolhouse autobus traveling adjacent Avenue 8 and Road 23.5.

Without a 2nd thought, the brace jumped into action.

"We were conscionable making definite the kids were acold distant capable truthful that they wouldn't get hurt," Zarco said.

They alerted the operator and began evacuating the students inside, moving done heavy plumes of fume to get to the students successful the backmost row.

Moments later, the autobus was rapidly covered successful roaring flames.

"The autobus caught occurrence close away, astir apt wrong similar 2 minutes, 3 minutes it each happened close away," Zarco added.

The 2 men met astatine the intersection to hole a breached tractor, but Perea is present saying it was nary coincidence.

"God enactment you successful that spot for a reason, it was to assistance retired the kids, assistance retired the assemblage close there," Perea said.

The autobus was near charred.

The agleam yellowish overgarment was reduced to an ashy grey.

CalFire Division Chief Larry Pendarvis says he's grateful for the men's courageous choice.

"Buses tin beryllium replaced, humans can't," Pendarvis said.

Perea and Zarco volition present everlastingly beryllium known arsenic heroes successful their hometown.

Perea's girl was besides successful attendance for the proclamation. He told america it means everything to beryllium recognized for specified an astonishing enactment successful beforehand of her.