Country singer Jerrod Niemann had a close call on Tuesday night after performing at the Heart Strings for Hope Benefit in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Lover, Lover singer’s tour bus erupted in flames.
Niemann and his entourage were in the area to help raise $65,000 during a benefit event for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
After the show Jerrod and his band joined his father and uncle back on the tour bus only to be told by country singer Lee Brice that the vehicle was on fire.
Niemann told PEOPLE, “I smelled something when I got on the bus but I figured it was that smell a heater makes when it comes on. John Stone, a songwriter who was with us because he wrote Lee Brice’s new song, said, ‘Dude, I think your bus is on fire.'”
They were eventually convinced to get off the bus, safely escaping shortly before an explosion accelerated the blaze. The windshield blew and the back of the bus was burned badly before it could be extinguished. Fire officials are investigating.
The country musician has just begun using the bus to see if it was something he wanted to lease for the remainder of his tour.
Niemann posted photos of the burning bus on his Twitter page. Jerrod, Stone and Lee are seen giving the middle finger salute in front of the bus.
Check it out below:
Photo Credit: WENN, Jerrod Niemann-Twitter