MEXICO CITY: A raging fire at a holding lot for municipal buses in southern Mexico has destroyed more than 40 buses.

Authorities in the Gulf coast state of Tabasco say they are investigating the cause of Wednesday's early morning fire.

Tabasco state police say the fire has been controlled, but photos show the buses were left charred hulks.

State prosecutors say 47 buses were destroyed, and state attorney general Fernando Valenzuela says fuel thefts or disputes between bus drivers could have played a role.

In 2012, a drug gang took credit for firebomb attacks that burned dozens of delivery trucks owned by a PepsiCo snack subsidiary in the western state of Michoacan and the neighboring state of Guanajuato.

But there's no immediate indication any gang was involved in Wednesday's fire.