GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- A suspected arson fire destroyed eight schools buses and damaged one other early Friday morning, forcing the Gainesville school system to cancel all bus service on the last day of school.

The buses were found burning at the school system's bus shop about 4:30 a.m. Friday.

Channel 2 Action News reporter Anissa Centers talked to officials who stopped short of calling the fire arson, but said it was highly suspicious.

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RAW VIDEO: Fire Damages School Buses

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"You can draw your own conclusions," said State Fire Commissioner John Oxendine. "It's very unusual to have an idle bus at 4:30 that hasn't been operated in 12 hours to spontaneously combust."

There was no damage to the bus shop building.

School system officials canceled all school bus service for both Friday morning and afternoon. Students unable to get to school will be given an excused absence.

Friday is the last day of classes before summer break for Gainesville schools.

"Being it was the last day, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a prank that got out of hand," said one parent who was dropping off a student at the school.

The burned buses make up about 20 percent of the school system's bus fleet.