Boy Arrested, Others Sought, for Allegedly Setting Fire to School Bus
Video shows several kids in New York bringing cardboard boxes into the bus and, soon after, flames are seen inside. Police are looking for several other boys in connection with the incident.
NEW YORK — An 11-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly setting a school bus on fire on Sunday evening, and police are looking for several other boys in connection with the incident, CBS New York reports.
Surveillance video obtained by CrownHeights.info shows a school bus parked outside the Bnos Chomesh Academy with its front door open and several kids bringing cardboard boxes into the bus, apparently to use to create a fire, and running away. Soon after, flames are seen in the middle of the bus and near the driver’s seat, and then black smoke is seen coming out of the bus. On Monday, police were collecting evidence from the remains of the bus, according to CBS New York.
Police told CBS New York that one boy was arrested on arson and criminal charges, and was released to the custody of his mother. Police still need to determine whether he has been in trouble before, and whether he has behavioral problems, before his fate is decided in family court or juvenile court, according to the news source.
Police also said that they are looking for five or six other boys, ages 11 to 14, who may have also been involved in the incident. Investigators are looking into the possibility of the incident being a hate crime. The New York Police Department told CBS New York that they are looking into another incident that happened last week involving kids in the same age range who allegedly threw a rock or a brick at a school bus.
To read the full story, go here.
Watch the surveillance video from CrownHeights.info below.
More Safety

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
