The raging inferno that devoured three public school buses in a New Jersey lot in the middle of the night last week has been ruled accidental.
Authorities said Tuesday that the fire started in the engine compartment of one of the buses around 2:30 a.m. Friday and spread to two other buses, destroying all of them. The Toms River School District owns the buses.
Dramatic photos from the scene showed at least two buses completely engulfed in flames. Toms River police say three buses were extensively damaged by the 2:40 a.m. fire on the south side of Route 37; a pickup truck had minor damage.
Officials say a police officer was on patrol along the highway when he smelled smoke. He searched the area and found the vehicles ablaze. Firefighters from two local companies responded and doused the flames.
No one was hurt.
