By By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
Jan. 4, 2001
A sheriff's department spokesman said this morning that New Year's Day fireworks likely caused a blaze that destroyed a school bus.
The bus reportedly burned Jan. 1, just before 4 p.m., while it was parked in the driveway of the driver's home at 11294 Center Hill-Martin Road.
A substitute bus was called into service this morning to transport students on their first day back after a two-week vacation.
School officials say the two-year-old bus was insured; a replacement will cost about $50,000.
State fire investigator James Cockrell is assisting in the investigation being conducted by Lauderdale County fire investigator Ricky Preston.
Mitchell said if the fire was the result of fireworks, "it would be hard to determine who was responsible because there were so many kids out there at the time."
He said Collinsville and Martin volunteer fire department were called to the scene after a witness reported the blaze.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@meridianstar.com.