Niemann tweeted to fans that he would look like movie villain Freddy Kruger if a companion hadn’t stepped off the bus to check it Tuesday night.

Niemann had wrapped up a benefit performance at the Tivoli Theater. His friends, his father and his uncle had boarded the bus when they were told it was on fire. WRCB-TV reports Niemann thought it was just a heater smoking, but a friend stepped off to look and told everyone to get out.

A short time later, there was an explosion and the fire accelerated. The back of the bus burned before it could be extinguished and fire officials are looking for the cause.