SEATTLE — Sound Transit says Friday’s frigid temperatures and frozen water in a brake line could be to blame for a bus fire on Interstate 5 in north Seattle.
Spokeswoman Kimberly Reason says the cause of the fire is under investigation but it could have been caused by frozen brakes that overheated.
The driver noticed a problem, pulled over and safely evacuated about 70 passengers, including a woman in a wheelchair.
Reason says there’s no official estimate of the loss, but the bus costs nearly $700,000 new.
Flames gutted the diesel-powered articulated bus and it burned for more than half an hour as Seattle firefighters poured on water and foam.
The Transportation Department says the fire at North 85th Street backed up morning rush hour traffic for 10 miles.
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