Doorbell cam captures shocking moment mom and bus driver saved children from disaster

A quick-thinking hero mom and a bus driver in Minnesota are being praised nationwide for saving 22 children from a frightening bus fire that erupted right in front of her home.

Thanks to her calm under pressure and the bus driver’s teamwork, every child made it off the burning vehicle safely—a moment now captured forever on a doorbell camera that has touched the hearts of millions.

Mom and bus driver act fast as bus fire erupts

It was a typical afternoon in Bethel, Minnesota, when Kari Thorp stepped outside to wait for her 6-year-old daughter’s school bus, PEOPLE noted.

Within moments, she noticed smoke coming from the front of the bus—and then she saw flames.

“As soon as I got out the door … I noticed the first flame right above the tire, and I immediately yelled, ‘Fire,’ ” Kari recalled to Inside Edition.

Without thinking twice, the hero mom sprinted toward the bus, alerting driver Rick Gratton to the danger.

Without hesitation, Kari alerted driver Rick , who stayed remarkably calm under pressure.

While she guided children toward safety, Rick helped usher them down the aisle and off the bus, ensuring no one was left behind

Together, they moved quickly to help the 22 young passengers off the bus before the flames spread.

The doorbell camera video shows the dramatic rescue as children rush to safety, guided by Kari’s steady voice.

“I just wanted to get them off as quickly as we can because I didn’t know what was going to happen and I didn’t know how fast this fire … like if it was going to explode right then and there or what,” she said.

Doorbell camera shows children’s fright and courage

The footage, later featured by Inside Edition, CBS News, and KMSP-TV, revealed the intensity of the situation.

Several children cried and clung to their backpacks as they reached Kari’s porch. Some looked back at the thick smoke filling the air.

Kari quickly guided the group farther down the street to ensure they were far from danger.

Within minutes, the bus fire worsened—flames spread through the front of the vehicle, followed by two loud tire explosions caused by the heat.

The once-yellow school bus was soon completely engulfed in flames. Kari said only about 15 minutes had passed between spotting the first small flame and seeing the entire bus destroyed.

“I don’t think [the bus driver] would have gotten very far. And I don’t think we would have been able to get those kids off the bus as fast. I don’t know what would have happened. Because a lot of little ones sit up front and that’s where it all started, was right up front,” Kari said.

Teamwork of the hero mom and the bus driver turns a tragedy into a miracle

Parents later shared that the children had recently practiced school safety drills on how to exit a bus in the event of an emergency.

That quick training, combined with the hero mom’s instinct and the bus driver’s steady focus, prevented what could have been a heartbreaking tragedy.

“It was scary, but I think I had so much adrenaline going I was just worried about getting everyone off,” Kari said.

Her voice shook slightly as she recalled the chaos, but she expressed gratitude that every child was safe.

In the aftermath, Kari and Rick were recognized by St. Francis Area Schools for their bravery.

The school district presented them with gift baskets and heartfelt thanks from parents who called them real-life heroes.

Grateful community praises mom and bus driver for saving 22 children

News of the rescue spread quickly after the doorbell camera video was shared online.

Viewers across the country praised Kari and Rick’s heroic actions, calling the hero mom a symbol of courage and compassion.

Many said they were moved by her bravery, especially knowing she didn’t just save her own daughter but also 21 other children.

Neighbors and school officials have since called Kari a community hero, while local families have expressed deep relief that everyone made it out unharmed.

The bus fire served as a poignant reminder of how quickly emergencies can unfold—and how ordinary people can become heroes in an instant.

As emotions continue to settle, Kari remains humble about her actions. She said she simply did what any parent would do in the same situation.

But for the families of those children, her courage that day meant everything.

Both Kari and Rick have been hailed as community heroes—their courage and teamwork turning a terrifying moment into a miracle

The instinct of a hero a mom and quick thinking of a hero bus driver the saves the day

Reflecting on the terrifying moment, Kari said it still feels surreal.

The hero mom never imagined her ordinary afternoon would turn into a rescue mission—but her instincts took over when it mattered most.

In the end, her bravery and quick action, paired with Rick’s calm response, turned what could have been a tragic bus fire into a powerful story of survival and hope.

The doorbell camera that captured the rescue stands as a lasting reminder that even in the face of danger, a mother’s instinct and courage can make all the difference.

Watch the powerful Inside Edition video that captured the moment a hero mom and a brave bus driver saved 22 children from a burning school bus—a real act of courage you won’t forget.