Fire Damages Dozens of New School Buses

PUYALLUP, Wash. — A fire at a school district bus facility here damaged dozens of new school buses on Wednesday.

Workshop participants at Puyallup School District were updating their First Aid certification when the fire alarm was pulled, according to a news release from the district. Nearly 30 people were participating in the workshop, and nearly 70 employees in total were evacuated from the Puyallup School Operations (Facilities) campus when the fire broke out.

Sounds of explosions were heard coming from the bus facility fire, according to the Puyallup Police Department’s Twitter page.

At 2:21 p.m., Central Pierce Fire was dispatched to the district’s bus maintenance facility. More than 28 buses were damaged, according to the Puyallup Police Department.

All staff members were accounted for, and no injuries have been reported. Firefighters brought the fire under control and watched for hot spots south of the facility.

By evening, the street was still closed, and officials were still investigating the cause of the fire.

With students starting school on Sept. 6, district leaders will be making plans for use of the remaining fleet of buses to ensure safe transport of students on their first day of school.