Smoking CityBus draws crews over Harrison Bridge

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Crews responded to a report of a bus on fire Monday afternoon in West Lafayette. The bus turned out to not actually be on fire, but there was quite a bit of smoke after an engine malfunction.

The report of a CityBus bus on fire over the Harrison Bridge came in to dispatchers just before 1:30 p.m. Monday.

According CityBus manager of development Tonya Agnew, an issue with the bus turbocharger created a lot of smoke, but no flames. She also said the mechanical issue can be fixed for less than $2,000.

Fleet maintenance manager George Turner says the turbocharger's problem is a common one.

"An oil seal failed, allowing hot engine oil to enter the exhaust system," Turner said. "It is often assumed there is a fire due to the amount of smoke, but in reality that is often not the case."

There was no one on the bus at the time except for the driver, and that driver was not injured.

The bus was in the westbound lanes of the Harrison bridge. One lane was closed but the other was open for traffic.