I20 bus fire investigated as arson

By Associated Press

For the AJC

MADISON -- Authorities are investigating a blaze on a charter bus along Interstate 20 as an arson.

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Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com Emergency personnel work the scene of a bus fire on I-20 East in Morgan County that backed up traffic for miles on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. There were no apparent injuries in the accident .

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Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com The fire destroyed the bus, which is owned and operated by Burke Tours & Charters Inc. of Atlanta.

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Morgan County officials told WXIA that the bus blew up shortly after 4 a.m. Monday. It is unclear whether the bus was traveling along the interstate or parked on the side of the road when the fire started.

Officials say there were no passengers on the bus.

An operator with the Georgia State Patrol said officers originally received a call for a bus that was parked and unoccupied when it caught fire. Later, they learned there was a single injury but it was unclear how the person was injured.

The victim was taken to an Augusta hospital with burns. His name and condition were not immediately available.

The accident closed the eastbound lanes of the interstate for hours.