School Bus Fire Cancels Classes For Some Racine County Students

RACINE COUNTY, WI — Classes were canceled for some Racine County students after multiple buses caught on fire Tuesday morning.

According to the Racine County Sheriff's Office, at 03:54 a.m. an officer on routine patrol noticed heavy dark smoke coming from the Thomas Bus Company property, which is at 31340 Bushnell Rd. in Burlington.

Deputies said it was then discovered that numerous school buses on the property were fully engulfed in fire. The business was closed at the time and fortunately and no employees were on scene.

Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene an extinguished the fire. Six school buses and a shed were heavily damaged, with an estimated damage amount of $525,000, deputies said.

As a result of the fire - which also closed the McCanna Parkway round-a-bout and the Burlington Bypass for several hours, classes were canceled for students attending the Burlington Area School District.

Burlington Catholic Schools also canceled classes for students.

The sheriff's office said the fire appeared to be electrical in nature, and no criminal activity is suspected at this time.