Montgomery County School Bus Fire Likely Accidental, Investigators Say

ROCKVILLE, MD — Investigators believe a costly fire that broke out in a bus parked at the Montgomery County Public Schools bus depot in Rockville over the weekend was likely accidental.

When firefighters arrived to the scene around midnight Saturday morning at 16600 Crabbs Branch Way, they found a school bus in the depot fully engulfed in flames. Two nearby buses were also damaged by the fire, and damages are estimated to be over $100,000.

Montgomery County fire and rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said there is nothing suspicious about the school bus fire. Investigators believe the fire was electrical and may have originated in the dashboard, Piringer said.

Piringer said the bus depot is a "secure parking lot, monitored by cameras and videos.”

The investigation continues to determine the exact cause of the fire. There were no injuries. To follow this story, subscribe via email to free Patch alerts, a morning newsletter and evening news roundups.

Photos: Pete Piringer