By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writer

At least two Fayette County schoolbuses were destroyed by a fire late Monday night at the bus barn behind the school system's headquarters on Stonewall Avenue in Fayetteville.

Fire investigators will not know the cause of the blaze until the building itself is deemed safe to reenter and continue the investigation.

Firefighters arrived on the scene at about 11 p.m. Monday, according to Fayetteville fire Chief Alan Jones. The fire started near one bus and later moved to a loft inside the building.

By midnight, fire was shooting through the skylights and more than 20 firefighters from the city and Fayette County eventually worked the fire, Jones said.

The blaze was contained to the bus barn, but firefighters had to concern themselves with fuel leaks from buses inside, as well as gas pumps just outside the building and the school system warehouse right next door.

Due to the contents of the building and their flammability, firefighters backed out of the building as much as possible while fighting the fire, Jones said.

While containing the blaze and investigating the scene immediately afterward, firefighters heard sounds coming from the building that indicated possible structural damage. That stopped the investigation for the time being.

“We heard movement in the building and thought it prudent to get out,” said Jones.

A city engineer came to the scene and ordered everyone to stay out of the building until a structural engineer could come inspect it. That was expected to take place late Tuesday or early today, Jones said.