associated with having to flee a burning team bus on Tuesday night.

He and other members of the National Professional Soccer League's Harrisburg Heat were nearing the end of a nine-hour journey from Harrisburg to Dayton, Ohio, when a passing motorist notified them that their vehicle was on fire, forcing rapid evacuation.

No cause has yet been determined for the fire that started at the rear of the bus, however, it is believed to have been caused by a faulty air conditioning system.

When asked what ran through his mind on realising what was happening, Bascome replied: "Death! I had a picture in my mind that the bus was going to blow to pieces.

"I was thinking about my family and my girlfriend, who's pregnant, and was just saying to myself, `Get me back home to my family and give me one more chance'.

"I was dozing off in a seat near the front when the truck driver came by and told us on his radio that the bus was on fire.

"Guys didn't think to grab anything when the bus stopped and I walked over my bag and got off and was outside bare-footed, watching the fire move from the back of the bus to the front.'' Most of the team's equipment, including jerseys, shoes and some personal belongings, were lost, but Bascome's second deepest fear was allayed when his valued green card and other items were found intact.

The reed-thin forward joked about the actions of one of his team-mates who during the pandemonium forsook his money and instead clutched a deck of playing cards, a favoured pastime among players on road trips.

"Somebody said, `Grab the cards!' and he dropped the money and ran out with the cards,'' Bascome said.

"The whole scene was like watching Code Three, which comes on (television) every night, with helicopters all around and fire engines and police.

"We were just happy everybody came out safe and we were lucky that worrying about material things didn't hold anybody back ... they just got up and moved.'' Following the incident an appeal was made to the league commissioner to have Wednesday's game against Dayton Dynamos postponed, but when refused the Heat embarked on a buying frenzy at a local sports store.

Bascome, occupying a forward position, netted once in a 19-15 win -- their first of the year.

"Spectators were telling us we're hot and `that really lit a fire under you guys,'' said Bascome.

Though pleased with the way he is currently performing, Bascome reiterated that this would be his last indoor season, mostly because of a troublesome back condition that his doctor has told him is probably caused by the hard playing surface used indoors.

He mentioned the New Jersey Nationals of the Super Professional Outdoor League as his most likely option for 1994.

Last night had the Heat tackling division leaders Baltimore Spirit at home.