1998 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 Electrical System Problems

NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS LOCATED IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY WAS IN ROUTE WITH SIX CHILDREN AND A DRIVER WHEN THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE BUS IN A SAFE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED EVACUATION PROCEDURES AND SUCCESSFULLY UNLOADED THE CHILDREN TO A SAFE PLACE. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 7 MINUTES AFTER EVACUATION FIRE WAS SEEN IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND PROCEEDED TO SPREAD THROUGH OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA AND THEN TO THE REAR OF THE BUS BODY. THE BUS WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED WITH PRELIMINARY INDICATION THAT FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE REAR OF ENGINE WHERE WIRING HARNESS IS ROUTED AROUND METALLIC HEATER SHUTOFF VALVE. THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHERE THE INTAKE HEATER WIRE CHAFFED THROUGH THE WIRE HOUSING AND CONVOLUTED TUBING...