Neal McCoy Is The Latest To Suffer a Tour Bus Fire
Neal McCoy’s tour bus “Old Glory” is the latest to go up in flames in an early morning fire. Luckily, McCoy and all his crew were able to vacate the vehicle before the blaze overtook it, and much of their gear stowed in a separate trailer was also spared. But it is the latest close call involving touring musicians, and fires that could have ended tragically.
The bus caught fire in Mansfield, Louisiana Saturday morning (2-8) while McCoy and his band were en route to a show in Alexandria Saturday night at the Rapides Parish Coliseum. At approximately 7 a.m., Old Glory caught fire, and they pulled off the road and evacuated the vehicle. McCoy has been using the bus with the American flag emblazoned on the side for approximately 13 years, and has a new one on order that is not yet finished. Keeping with a tradition that Neal McCoy has observed for 1,493 consecutive days, he recited the Pledge of Allegiance with the first responders who helped put out the blaze.
The entire episode and aftermath was caught on Facebook Live by McCoy himself, who narrated the scene as the bus went up in flames, and first responders came to the scene (see below). As it was burning, numerous explosions could be heard.
“Everybody’s okay. Physically, we are good. But that is the bus that has taken us a million miles, and it is ugly,” Neal McCoy says while the bus can be seen engulfed in flames. “There’s nothing you can do. That is our lifeline, but we will live on. We’re just grateful everyone is okay and got out safely.”
Neal offered a updated later in the morning. “The bus is a loss, but we may have saved the trailer and some of our equipment. So now we’re trying to get rides to Alexandria, trying to get clothes, and the show will go on.”
The tour bus for Texas band Shane Smith and the Saints caught fire in late November, 2019 just outside of Coleman, TX. Similarly, everyone was able to get out okay, but it was a total loss for the band, including their equipment trailer. In June of 2018, Shenandoah’s tour bus caught fire, and in 2015, a Lady Antebellum tour bus went ablaze. Numerous other stories across music of bus fires have many bands and their fans spooked.
No cause for the Neal McCoy bus fire has been released at this time.
February 8, 2020 @ 11:00 am
What the hey, with all the bus fires?
A pod jump, and land on a seat cushion?
Heaters? The heck …
Also, Neal McCoy seems like a great guy.
Glad everyone is safe.
February 8, 2020 @ 11:02 am
I don’t know, but not a lot of people are talking about it, and I’m not sure if the NTSB or anyone else is investigating it. You have one car catch fire and they recall 8 million vehicles. I’m going to be looking deeper into this if/when I get a chance.
February 8, 2020 @ 11:20 am
Ok, Thanks.
Again, glad no one was injured
February 8, 2020 @ 2:02 pm
I doubt the NTSB is bound to get involved because there were no fatalities and the fires did not cause any sort of traffic accidents. (The NTSB *has* investigated numerous fatal tour bus crashes.)
The NTSB doesn’t have any regulatory authority to recall vehicles. That is done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA.
I know nothing about artists’ tour buses, but I’m wondering if they are being overloaded with electrical devices. They also strike me as vehicles that are often rode hard and put up wet, as the saying goes.
February 9, 2020 @ 12:22 am
Trig,
I have to think that the after-market modifications, overloading the electric systems and long driving distances are all factors. Also, passenger coaches like Greyhound and Trailways undergo regular, systematic inspections and maintenance. I bet some of these private vehicles are not maintained with sufficient frequency.
February 8, 2020 @ 11:28 am
A good friend of mine knows Neal and he always said Neal was a class act. This video demonstrates that. It does make you wonder why these bus fires seem to be more frequent lately. So glad everyone is ok.
February 8, 2020 @ 12:22 pm
I saw his picture & briefly read the headline… For a moment I thought he passed. Trig, your scaring me over here….
February 8, 2020 @ 5:49 pm
Good news every time .Neil is explosive in stage gives excellent concerts!!
February 9, 2020 @ 2:18 am
I’d guess brakes start these fires. Just a guess. Great video and I’m so glad everyone is a okay.
February 9, 2020 @ 10:12 am
Man, what a bummer, he is so composed while this is happening, tough guy. Wonder if they make the show like Shane Smith did recently.
February 10, 2020 @ 12:05 pm
Neal is a Class act and yes He is a Great artist and entertainer He was just Happy everyone made it out safely : If you haven’t seen his shows your are missing out on a GREAT Show. He also Says the Pledge of Allegiance every morning and takes the time to visit with his fans everyday all you have to do is go to NealMcCoy.com and click on the Just Talking tab where you will make great friends and smile everyday Cause Neal is a down to earth kind of person and there is no praise big enough for what he does.