The Feb. 23 blaze destroyed an estimated $20,000 worth of the team's belongings and left the bus in charred remains
The Indiana University Indianapolis men's basketball team is safe after their bus caught fire, destroying the vehicle and all of the players' belongings.
During the Jaguars' drive home after losing to Northern Kentucky University on Sunday, Feb. 23, the bus "experienced a mechanical issue" that caused a fire, the school said in a statement on X. The fire occurred on I-275 near Lawrenceburg, Ind., according to NBC affiliate WLWT and The 812, a local Indiana outlet.
In the same statement, the IU Indiana athletic department also shared that "all members of the team and staff evacuated the bus without injury."
Firefighters also confirmed to The 812 that no one was injured in the blaze. Nothing was left of the bus but severely charred remains, and the players' personal belongings were destroyed.
Computers, video equipment and around 30 pairs of basketball shoes were among the personal items lost in the blaze, according to WLWT. The team's head coach, Paul Corsaro, estimated that "about $20,000 in team equipment and gear" was lost, he told Indianapolis outlet WTHR.
"We lost some items along the way, but items can be replaced," the coach told local TV station WISH-TV a day after the fire. "People can't."
Corsaro said the fire started when a tire close to the bus's gas tank "blew," making a "loud thud" and causing a small fire to erupt, WTHR reported. The bus subsequently pulled over, and by the time the final passengers were exiting, the back of the bus was engulfed in flames, he recalled.
Related: 3 Female Graduates Killed in Fatal Car Crash After Attending High School Basketball Game: Reports
"It was just disbelief," Corsaro said. "It was scary to say the least."
The head coach credited the quick reaction time of one of his assistants, Keith Oddo. "My assistant did a great job of not waiting," he told WLWT, adding that "if he had waited and not got everyone off the bus I think it would have become a close call."
The stranded group made it home thanks in part to a Lawrenceburg school bus driver, Amber Pickett, who heard of the Jaguars' situation via scanner call and picked them up, WLWT reported.
Recalling the moment she learned of the athletes' situation, she told the outlet, "To think that these people are outside on the side of the road, you know, cars are going by fast and everything. I thought, 'Oh, Lord, it's not safe for them.' "
Pickett then took the team to a nearby pizza spot until another bus was enlisted to complete their journey back to the IU Indianapolis campus. All of the students made it back safely, the athletic department said in an update later that night.
Never miss a story -- sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The transportation company that owns the bus is investigating what caused the fire, and the team is preparing to continue with their season, a representative with IU Indianapolis athletics told PEOPLE on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Related: Khyree Jackson, Minnesota Vikings Rookie, Dies at 24 After Triple Car Crash: 'Great Player, Better Person'
"As of now, we're just trying to ensure that our student-athletes get the necessities that college athletes need - toiletries, clothes, basketball shoes, etc.," the school representative said, noting that the "community support has been overwhelming and we're excited that everyone is safe and healthy and ready to compete again on Thursday night."
The Jaguars are set to host the Robert Morris University Colonials -- the top-ranked team in their conference -- at home on Thursday, Feb. 27.
As Corsaro explained it to WISH-TV, "taking on No. 1 in the league seems like a lot less of a challenge after being on a burning bus."
"This team's been through a lot," he said of his players. "Talk about a resilient group."