Fifty evacuated from fiery DATTCO bus on I-95 in Darien

On Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the height of the severe winter storm, a private charter bus was engulfed in flames on I-95 North in Darien. The fire broke out around 1:00 PM near Exit 11. The bus, operated by DATTCO, was carrying about 50 passengers returning to Fall River, Massachusetts, after a cruise departure from Brooklyn.

While the scene was chaotic, officials report that most injuries were minor. However, five individuals were transported to area hospitals for further evaluation and treatment.

A Significant Emergency: Darien First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky described the incident as one of the most impactful emergencies the town has faced in years. The combination of 50 passengers needing evacuation and the blinding snow conditions created a mass casualty atmosphere for first responders.

Impact on Travel: I-95 Northbound was shut down between Exits 10 and 11 for several hours as fire crews battled the blaze and cleared the scene. The highway was closed for four hours, finally reopening at 5:00 PM that evening.

Hard Questions Remain: Why was the bus on the road? Governor Lamont had declared a state of emergency and a ban on commercial vehicles on all state highways effective at 12:00 PM—one hour before the fire. What caused the blaze? While an investigation is ongoing, early reports point toward a mechanical failure.

Between the Lines: Does the name DATTCO sound familiar? This is the new bus company that the Greenwich Public Schools retained this year to transport our students. The transition has been anything but smooth, characterized by a lack of permanent parking for the buses, requiring the use of local school lots (like Western Middle School) as temporary depots. This latest incident on I-95 raises further questions.

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