Country Star Jerrod Niemann Safe After Bus Explodes At Benefit Concert

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee -- Country singer Jerrod Niemann and everyone aboard his tour bus are safe after the vehicle burned in Chattanooga, Tenn.

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. A local TV station reported 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.

Niemann, a Kansas native, is currently a part of the "On Fire" tour with headliner Miranda Lambert, who is married to Oklahoman Blake Shelton.

Niemann and Chris Young will be opening for Lambert, the reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, at the BOK Center in Tulsa on April 12. You can still buy tickets for $51.75, $39.75 and $27.75.

Niemann has worked his way up in the music business. He co-wrote three singles for Garth Brooks: "Good Ride Cowboy," "That Girl Is a Cowboy" and "Midnight Sun," before releasing two solo albums that received a mild reception.

His third album, "Judge Jerrod and the Hung Jury," was released in 2010. It has produced two breakout hits so far, "Lover, Lover," which was certified platinum, and "What Do You Want," certified gold.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.