An empty school bus burst into flames Tuesday morning in Midtown, sending thick black smoke for blocks and causing traffic delays.
Authorities said there was no one on board the bus that was parked at Seventh Avenue and 35th Street. Eight students had been transferred from the broken-down bus before it caught fire.
Heavy smoke was visible for several blocks around the area, which is near Macy's, and fire trucks were at the scene. Witnesses described flames shooting out of the burning bus.
The fire blackened the upper half of the bus and blew out the windows. The seat cushions were disintegrated.
A call came in to the Fire Department at 8:33 a.m. By 10 a.m., firefighters had put out the flames.
Police blocked off the busy area around Seventh Avenue and 35th Street for about a half-hour before reopening it.
No injuries were reported.
The NYPD said in a response to a passerby's concern that there was no suspicion of terrorism.
