VOQ ENTERED BY MHDVD ON 8/22/2011 THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE DASH OF THE SCHOOL BUS WHICH RAPIDLY DEVELOPED AND ENGULFED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED AFTER INSPECTION. ELECTIRCAL HEATING WAS NOTED AT THE SOLENOID BUT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE SUFFICIENT TO ACT AS AN IGNITION SOURCE AND LACK OF FUEL IN THE AREA DOES NOT DEMONSTRATE A MEANS FOR A FIRE TO DEVELOP.