The owner of the charter bus that burned while transporting nursing home residents away from Hurricane Rita reportedly has had financial and safety woes.

The bus burst into flames Friday on Interstate 45 south of Dallas, killing 24 elderly evacuees from Bellaire.

The Dallas Morning News report the owners of Global Limo filed for bankruptcy protection in February. The company's license was revoked for a few days in May.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also singled out Pharr-based Global for full inspections when police stopped their buses.

The newspaper reports James H. “Butch” Maples and his wife, Kathleen own the company

They couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

The Houston Chronicle reports the bus had lapsed registration, but probably was used because of Rita.

State officials say there's been a waiver under Hurricane Katrina and Rita, so companies don't have to provide information on every vehicle they use.

The fire evidently was ignited by brakes overheated by the stop and go driving on the jammed Interstate.

The flames spread to oxygen tanks aboard the bus, setting off a series of violent explosions.

It was the deadliest bus accident in more than 50 years in Texas.

The worst bus accident in state history happened in Central Texas.

On Aug. 4, 1952, 28 people died when two buses collided on the old Waco-Temple highway about seven miles south of Waco.