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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Providence officials are investigating after at least six school buses went up in flames at the First Student bus yard Thursday night.
According to the Providence Firefighters Twitter page, crews responded to Ricom Way around 7:30 p.m. Thursday night.
First Student Spokesperson Frank McMahon tells Eyewitness News at least six buses were destroyed after being fully engulfed in flames. McMahon said the buses also sustained smoke and water damage.
Our firefighters are out with multiple buses on fire off of union ave. Stay safe! #inomniaparatus
— Providence Fire Fighters (@ProvFirefighter) October 11, 2018
Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare said while the cause of the fire remains under investigation, they are considering it suspicious at this time.
“We will get to the bottom of this,” Pare stressed.
Eyewitness News saw arson investigators canvassing the scene. Pare said crews will likely be in the bus yard all night trying to figure out what exactly happened.
“We have some forensic work to do, they are doing some video review as well,” Pare explained.
According to Pare, one firefighter was injured while fighting the fires. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
First Student, the company that currently oversees bus operations in Providence, is locked in a battle with its drivers – who are represented by Teamsters Local 251 – over retirement plans.
The bus drivers have been on strike since Sept. 27, leaving more than 9,000 students without transportation to and from school.
Here’s video of the burned buses. pic.twitter.com/4SV80KT7Lv
— Dan McGowan (@DanMcGowan) October 12, 2018
At this time, it’s unclear if the bus yard fire is connected to the strike. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza tells Eyewitness News this incident is “bad timing,” with city officials trying to mitigate the strike.
BREAKING: Providence officials are investigating this bus yard fire as ARSON until proven otherwise. This is where First Student keeps their vehicles-it’s the same company where bus drivers are currently striking in the city. @Jorge_Elorza @PvdPublicSafety pic.twitter.com/9621hqSWs5
— Shiina LoSciuto (@ShiinaHL) October 12, 2018
“Of course it is suspicious and certainly the elephant in the room, with the timing of it also being odd, what were gonna do is a full investigation,” Elorza said.
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