GOP gov candidate's campaign bus catches fire: report

The campaign bus for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears caught fire on Thursday during travel to an event.

Nobody was reportedly on board the bus at the time except for the driver. Earle-Sears, a Republican and the sitting lieutenant governor, issued a post on social media clarifying that nobody was harmed.

"While en-route to an event, our campaign bus caught fire. Everyone is safe," Earle-Sears posted, adding, "Thank you to the first responders who got to the scene quickly — we are so grateful for you."

In response, some other Virginia public figures expressed their relief that the incident was not worse.

"I am relieved that no one was hurt in the fire on Lt. Governor Earle-Sears' campaign bus today," posted Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones. "Hoping everyone is staying safe and taking care after such a frightening experience."

Earle-Sears' campaign bus has been touring the state as she seeks to overcome a polling deficit in the contest with Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger to replace outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. At times, it has come under controversy amid incidents where the bus mysteriously showed up at events without her on it.