BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Turnpike was shut down for a short time early Friday morning when a bus en route to Boston from New York burst into flames, its passengers narrowly escaping the blaze.

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Gail Huff Reports On Bus Fire

NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that the bus caught fire at 3:10 a.m. on the eastbound side of the turnpike. State Police officials said the fire was caused by mechanical problems, possibly a brake malfunction.

Seven passengers and the bus driver managed to escape before the bus became completely engulfed. One passenger, identified as University of Massachusetts student Jonathan Jones, told NewsCenter 5 that the driver was aware one of the tires was on fire as far back as Newton, Mass., but was told to continue to drive by his superiors. When the fire erupted, the driver told all 20 passengers to evacuate. He said seven were picked up by a Greyhound bus, six of them took taxis and the rest hitchhiked back in to town.

All four lanes of the highway were shut down before the flames were extinguished. They were reopened.

The bus is owned by a company called Lucky Star Travel Pack, which provides daily trips between Boston and New York.