48 escape bus fire near Mall of Georgia
A charter bus fire near the Mall of Georgia caused trafffic delays along I-85 Friday evening, Gwinnett fire officials said.
The bus had 48 people onboard and was one of three traveling along the interstate, Gwinnett Fire spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said in a news release. Passengers were placed on the other two buses.
The fire started near the engine compartment toward the back of the bus.
“Flames extended to the passener compartment before they could be extenguished,” Rutledge said.
The exact cause of the fire is undertermined.
Earlier, one northbound lane and one southbound lane on I-85 were closed, according to the WSB Traffic Center. Lanes reopened a short time later.
“There is no indication at this time that an accident was involved,” Rutledge said.
No one was injured in the fire.
Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Department of Transportaion are handling the investigation.
