Madera County farmworkers hailed as heroes for saving kids from bus fire

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – What started as a typical workday in the almond orchards near Avenue 8 and Road 23 1/2 in Madera County turned into a life-saving mission for two farmworkers who are now being celebrated as local heroes.

In September, Angel Zarco and Carlos Perea Romero were working on a broken-down tractor in the orchards when they saw something alarming—a school bus carrying over 15 elementary students had caught fire just down the road.

“We got a call from my dad, who’s our supervisor,” Zarco said. “He said the tractor isn’t working—can you go help?”

That unexpected equipment failure placed the two men within yards of the burning bus, just as it stalled and began emitting thick black smoke.

At first, the pair didn’t think much of the stopped school bus, but once they saw smoke pouring out, they rushed into action without hesitation.

“Honestly, we just saw the fire and knew we had to get the kids out. Our main thought was: make sure they’re safe,” Zarco said.

Perea Romero joined Zarco in boarding the burning vehicle, checking each seat to ensure no child had been left behind.

“We got on the bus just to make sure. I told him, ‘Let’s make sure no one else is inside,’” Romero said.

They quickly led the children off the bus to safety, but the ordeal wasn’t over. Flames engulfed the vehicle, causing loud popping noises that frightened the children even more.

“They were terrified,” Romero said. “Some of the kids were hiding behind the almond trees. They didn’t know where to go.”

On Tuesday, the Madera County Board of Supervisors and CAL FIRE honored Zarco and Perea Romero for their quick thinking and courageous response.

Larry Pendarvis, CAL FIRE Division Chief, presented the commendation, saying:

“I would like to recognize and thank both of you on behalf of Madera County Fire and CAL FIRE for your service above self. The situational awareness and fortitude you showed to help these young children in a time of need was extraordinary.”

Zarco humbly reflected on the moment, crediting faith and fate.

“Our boss told us, ‘God put you in that place for a reason.’ And maybe it was so we could help out the kids and help the community,” he said.

Thanks to their bravery, all of the children made it out safely that day—shaken, but unharmed. And thanks to their story, a community now knows two local Madera residents who became heroes.