Wyoming — The district’s bus garage is a total loss following a Wednesday morning fire, but the superintendent is thankful that no one was seriously injured.
“Things can be replaced, but people can not,” said Superintendent Craig Hoekstra. “I am very thankful that everyone is safe and doing well.”
The fire started around 10 a.m. at the facility that serves as the hub of district transportation at 2181 Prairie Parkway SW. Two staff members who were in the building were treated onsite by Emergency Medical Services for smoke inhalation and released, Hoekstra said.
Two buses that were being worked on inside the garage were also completely destroyed, one owned by Wyoming Public Schools and the other by Tri-Unity Christian Schools, which contracts with WPS for maintenance.
Day-to-day transportation services are not affected. The district was able to transport students home at the end of the day and for evening athletic events.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but was likely from welding going on in the garage that sparked and ignited something flammable, Hoekstra said.
The superintendent said the district is working with its insurance company to determine the rebuilding process for the garage, which is expected to take about 18 months. They are also working on a plan to house buses in a neighboring district.
Hoekstra said he is thankful for the outpouring of support from the city of Wyoming, including the fire and police departments, neighboring districts and the community as a whole who have offered help and services.
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