February 15, 2015
MARLBORO TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) —
NJ TRANSIT Spokeswoman Nancy Snyder says a bus driver and
eight passengers safely escaped when a bus caught fire while traveling on a
major highway in central Jersey.
The fire occurred early Sunday as a bus traveled southbound
on Route 9 in Marlboro Township, spokeswoman Nancy Snyder said.
The driver noticed smoke and flames coming from a rear wheel
and pulled over. the driver then saw flames in the rear wheel well, and the bus
was quickly evacuated.
Firefighters soon extinguished the blaze, but officials say
the bus was destroyed.
The bus had departed from the Port Authority terminal in
Manhattan and was headed to Lakewood. The eight passengers aboard were put on
another bus to complete their journey.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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Based on our experience, about 59% of bus fires are caused by either non-maintenance random failures or non-maintenance manufacture design. An additional 28% are the result of transit systems employees, followed by 13% unknown causes.
Known sources of fires have been tied to two specific areas: electrical failures and high pressure lines or connection failures.
Ignition sources typically include the engine, turbo-charger, exhaust, electrical wiring or connections, brakes and tires.
Buses can catch fire while either stationary or
in transit.
Stationary failure scenarios can involve the alternator, starter,
sensors, auxiliary heaters, battery cables, electrical system, appliances (such
as refrigerators), and other subsystem components such as VCR systems, P.A.
systems, G.P.S. systems, and air conditioning systems.
In-transit failures can
also involve those features, but typically involve a problem with the disc
brakes, tires, turbocharger, axle, auxiliary power units, sub-system motors,
fluid lines, bearing failures and other part failures.
Human failures still occur in areas such as :
- improper repairs
- neglect
- lack of training
- lack of supervisory oversight
- failure to detect
- lack of skill - bus operator, maintainer, or supervisor
- improper policies and procedures
- improper repairs
- neglect
- lack of training
- lack of supervisory oversight
- failure to detect
- lack of skill - bus operator, maintainer, or supervisor
- improper policies and procedures
Here, the most likely cause of ignition of the rear wheel fire are the tires or the disk brakes.