NORTON -- A busload of mostly dis abled veterans were evacuated from the vehicle Sunday on Interstate 495 after the engine compartment caught fire, quickly filling the bus with smoke, fire officials said.

The bus was carrying 27 veterans -- most of whom were wheel-chair bound -- back to the Brockton Veter ans' Administration Hospital on I-495 south around 11:10 a.m. when the fire occurred.

`` They were really lucky,'' Norton firefighter Ed Burgess said.

For completete story, see today's Sun Chronicle.