SchoolBus logo in red and orange
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

4 activity buses set on fire

A fire at Central High School in Elkhart, Indiana, burned the buses on Tuesday, leaving only one potentially salvageable, according to Elkhart Community Schools. A district official says surveillance video shows two people in the area of the buses around the time of the fire.

September 11, 2014
4 activity buses set on fire

A fire at Central High School in Elkhart, Indiana, burned four special activity buses on Tuesday, leaving only one potentially salvageable.

1 min to read


ELKHART, Ind. — On Tuesday, at approximately 12:20 a.m., the Elkhart Fire Department received a phone call about a fire at Central High School, and when they arrived, they found four special activity buses on fire, according to Elkhart Community Schools.

Only one of the buses may be salvageable, according to the district.

The buses were used daily by special-education students to transport them to educational programs and volunteer opportunities, as well as for special activities, such as smaller sports teams, student volunteer groups and student clubs.

Dr. Rob Haworth, superintendent of Elkhart Community Schools, told WNDU that it appears an accelerant was used on one bus and the fire spread to the nearby buses, and that there is surveillance video that shows two people in the area of the buses around the time of the fire.

The district is working with the Elkhart Police Department to review surveillance tapes and is asking anyone who may have information to call the Elkhart Police Department, according to a statement released by the district.

Topics:Safety

More Safety

Graphic showing the front of a yellow school bus with cracked-glass overlay and headline reading “Fatal School Bus Hit & Run in New York,” dated February 5, 2026, alongside the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsFebruary 10, 2026

New York Girl Killed by School Bus Hit & Run

An 11-year-old in Brooklyn was killed crossing the street. Meanwhile, the school bus driver faces misdemeanor charges after he left the scene.

Read More →
2026 Disaster Response Guide Call for Experts is Open.
Safetyby StaffFebruary 9, 2026

Disaster Readiness Starts Before the Storm [Call for Experts]

The 2026 Disaster Response Guide is officially underway, and we’re now opening a Call for Insights and Experts.

Read More →
school bus driver with student
SponsoredFebruary 9, 2026

How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps

Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fatal School Bus Accident in New York graphic dated Jan. 29, 2026, showing a close-up of a yellow school bus with cracked-glass overlay and School Bus Fleet logo.
Safetyby StaffFebruary 3, 2026

New York 5-Year-Old Killed by School Bus, Investigation Ongoing

A Rockland County child was struck by their school bus late last week. Here's what we know so far about this and other fatalities and injuries in the area over the years.

Read More →
A red, orange and yellow graphic with anti-pinch door sensor products and text reading "Maine's New Mandate: Anti-Pinch-Sensors & Bus Safety."
Safetyby Elora HaynesJanuary 29, 2026

Prevent School Bus Dragging Incidents: Anti-Pinch Door Sensors and Maine’s New Mandate

As Maine becomes one of the first states to require anti-pinch door sensors on new school buses, manufacturers like Mayser offer a look at how the technology works and why it's a critical fail-safe.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 29, 2026

8 Ways To Simplify and Streamline School Bus Fleet Operations

What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
an illustration of a survey on a mobile phone with a hand on it, and the words Survey Says on it
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 28, 2026

Survey: Most Parents Want Automated Enforcement on School Buses

A recent Verra Mobility survey reports that 82% of parents support safety cameras to penalize stop-arm violators and 70% favor automated enforcement in school zones.

Read More →
Image of an extended stop-arm with text reading "School Bus Safety: Funding Provides Bus Upgrades Across Ohio."
Safetyby StaffJanuary 27, 2026

State Grant Program Advances School Bus Safety Upgrades Across Ohio

$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.

Read More →
A white Waymo vehicle waits at a crosswalk as a family crosses.
Safetyby StaffJanuary 26, 2026

Waymo Scrutiny Intensifies as NTSB Launches Investigation

After complications in multiple cities when self-driving taxis failed to stop for school buses, the NTSB joins NHTSA in a probe to determine what's behind the tech and related safety concerns.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Transportant stop arm camera shown on an orange “new product” graphic with School Bus Fleet branding.
SafetyJanuary 20, 2026

Transportant Debuts First Full-Color Stop Arm Camera for School Buses

Transportant introduced a next-generation stop arm camera designed to improve image quality and reliability for documenting illegal school bus passings.

Read More →