A fire that engulfed a school bus carrying students from the Ocean City Intermediate School April 17 has been determined to be accidental.
According to the Cape May County Fire Marshal’s Office, the bus’s engine blew, and oil emptied onto the exhaust manifold and ignited. Causes of blown engines include overheating, not enough oil, a timing belt failure, a seized engine from a lack of maintenance or oil, or “blow-by,” which occurs when compressed air and fuel escapes into the crankcase due to worn piston rings or damaged cylinder walls.
Fire crews from Seaville and Marmora, along with State Police troopers, responded to the area of mile marker 20.6 on the Garden State Parkway after the bus caught fire. The driver and 10 students from the intermediate school got out of the bus safely. The students were being taken to their homes in Sea Isle City. Fire crews remained on the scene for about two hours.
The State Police said their investigation of the fire was still underway.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.