Local School Bus Fire!!! Thomas burns

[EastCoastCB]

Saw this on the local news this morning.
Made me remember some local buses I saw at auction recently. Rear engine Thomas buses with fire damage. Is this common? Makes me glad my bus is equipped with a fire extinguisher!
The crazy part of the story is that this lady is not only a teacher, but fill in as a bus driver as well. Maybe she's one teacher who definitely deserves a raise!
http://www.wesh.com/news/bus-catches-fire-on-i4-in-polk-county-westbound-lanes-closed/30034278

 

[jmar896]

It seems like it's normally re buses that catch on fire most often. Thomas is the one I've seen the most of but I think that's cause it is the most popular re bus maker

 

[EastCoastCB]

`I have seen about a dozen buses that had engine fires. All RE's.
Pretty much all Thomas. But like you said they are popular buses. Makes me wonder though as a Thomas pusher is at the top of my list of awesome buses to convert.

 

[jmar896]

Ive seen a few FE's (Amtran and one Int. Carpenter flat nose) and a few C2's burn but not as many as RE buses. Ive also seen quite a few MCIs burn.

 

[Valkyrie_2]

Rear engine anything seems to burn quite well. I'm glad I have a front engine diesel bus.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Yeah I'm sitting right next to/on top of the engine with a fresh fire extinguisher!

 

[Valkyrie_2]

I found it surprising she had a gas engine. She clearly stated she could smell gas. I thought all busses were diesel now.

I'm so glad my Carpenter has a diesel engine mounted forward of the passenger compartment.

 

[EastCoastCB]

I doubt it was actually gas, probably just poor reporting, but who knows. I know on Public Surplus recently there were several local Florida Thomas rear engine buses all auctioned as scrap due to engine fires. Had to be at least four from one county.
Is there something about having the engine back there that makes em more flammable?
One of my VW buses caught fire once. Engine fire, of course!

 

[Malkieri-SKO]

Interesting information about fires can be read here:
http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/chann...5/12/assume-a-bus-fire-is-in-your-future.aspx

Quote for those who don't want to read it:
"Because power steering and transmission fluids can be operating under pressure, leaks are not uncommon. These fluids have a flash point similar to gasoline’s, so while engine oil and diesel fuel are less prone to ignite, these fluids dripping on the exhaust system or near any electrical spark can ignite quickly.

Failure to refill the oil in the hub after a brake job on rear dual wheels can create friction and enough heat to start a fire, especially in rear-engine buses where numerous accelerants may be present near the rear axle."

So there ya go.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Locally I've seen two RE buses on trailers being hauled from the roadside.
One Thomas and one IC.

 

[bansil]

Interesting information about fires can be read here:
http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/chann...5/12/assume-a-bus-fire-is-in-your-future.aspx

Quote for those who don't want to read it:
"Because power steering and transmission fluids can be operating under pressure, leaks are not uncommon. These fluids have a flash point similar to gasoline’s, so while engine oil and diesel fuel are less prone to ignite, these fluids dripping on the exhaust system or near any electrical spark can ignite quickly.

Failure to refill the oil in the hub after a brake job on rear dual wheels can create friction and enough heat to start a fire, especially in rear-engine buses where numerous accelerants may be present near the rear axle."

So there ya go.

when racing we were always more worried about breaking a tranny cooler line than a gas line, the oil coats then burns....have put out a bunch of PS and Trans fluid fires;-)