PHILADELPHIA — A fast-moving fire erupted early Thursday at a transit bus lot in Philadelphia and burned dozens of decommissioned vehicles, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the sky but causing no injuries. The fire did not impact the morning commute.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Citing an abundance of caution, the city’s Public Health Department warned nearby residents to stay indoors if possible and urged others to avoid the area. Agency inspectors collected samples to assess air quality and the potential for any threat, but said later Thursday that conditions had quickly improved after the blaze was contained.

The fire at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority facility started sometime before 6:15 a.m., said Andrew Busch, SEPTA ’s direct

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