This common problem caused CR school bus fire. Why all buses have now been inspected

The Wrightstown fire marshal has determined an electrical problem in the engine caused a fire on an occupied Council Rock school bus earlier this year.

The fire’s cause has been ruled as accidental, according to John Kearnan, who conducted a forensic investigation of the March 22 fire. He said said he feels confident after the two month review of evidence that the fire was an anomaly.

“Everytime I drive by a school bus stop and see the children I’m feeling good,” he said.

Thirty-six children and a bus driver were on the bus when it caught fire shortly before 9 a.m. in the 500 block of Penns Park Road, near Durham Road, a short distance from its destination, Wrightstown Elementary School.

No injuries were reported. The bus driver, Arqam Ali, was recognized for his quick actions including boarding the burning bus twice to make sure no students were aboard, according to the district.

Here are the details of the investigation.

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What caused the fire on Council Rock School bus?

Frayed electric insulation on a wire in the engine sparked the fire, Kearnan concluded.

All buses serving the Council Rock School District were examined and the defect, the result of normal wear and tear, was not found in any other bus, he said.

Kearnan said he requested that the bus manufacturer, Blue Bird Corporation, participate in a joint review.  The manufacturer’s outside investigative team agreed with his findings, Kearnan said.

Blue Bird representatives assured Kearnan they will implement inspections on its buses to check for wear on engine wires.

When was the bus that caught fire last inspected?

Durham School Services spokesman Edward Flavin confirmed the bus was inspected in March, before the fire, and it was fully compliant and up-to-date with state inspections.

The vehicle uses propane fuel and has no recent history of disrepair.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@couriertimes.com 

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: After 2 month investigation cause of Council Rock school bus fire revealed