Two adults and 11 children, who belonged to the youth group of Anchor Church in Houston, Texas, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to God after narrowly escaping a van that burst into flames. The van was carrying them to a summer camp in Kerrville, Texas, when the incident occurred on I-610 at Wayside.
Jordin Williams, mother of two of the camp attendees, emphasized the role of faith in their miraculous escape: “We believed and fervently prayed for the safety of those kids,” she revealed in an interview with KHOU 11.
The journey had just begun after the campers boarded the van at Deer Park High School when the fire erupted. The driver of the van was the church’s youth pastor, accompanied by his mother, who had previously worked as a school bus driver. Williams disclosed that some church members had noticed an unfamiliar smell in the van shortly before the flames engulfed it. However, they were initially unaware that the smell originated from their own vehicle. Recounting the incident, Williams shared, “He mentioned that it smelled like barbecue or something burning. They never thought it could be their van.”
Fortunately, all the occupants managed to evacuate the van unharmed, ensuring a safe outcome for everyone. Eventually, the campers were able to continue their journey and reach their destination without further incident.
The Houston Fire Department determined that the fire in the van resulted from an electrical issue. Officials also issued a stern warning regarding the dangers of hot car deaths, particularly concerning children, during the summer months. They stress the importance of never leaving children unattended in parked vehicles.
James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.