Over 25 buses were damaged in a fire Wednesday afternoon at the Puyallup School District bus barn.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS:
- Over 25 buses damaged in fire
- Police said sound of explosions heard
- All school district employees accounted for
- No reported injuries
Police said there were explosions related to the fire. A building near the buses also was on fire.
Follow this link to see photos of the fire. There were no reports of injuries.
Nearly 70 people were evacuated during the fire. Around 30 were in the workshop updating their First Aid certification.
Central Pierce Fire officials said all Puyallup School District employees were accounted for Wednesday evening.
The fire started shortly before 2:30 p.m. Several roads were closed around the fire at 323 12th St. N.W.
The fire was under control by 3:40 p.m.
Sound Transit trains were moving through Puyallup at reduced speeds.
Puyallup public schools are scheduled to start Sept. 6. School district officials said the buses damaged were all new buses and that the fire will certainly impact the start of the school year.
District leaders will soon be making plans for use of the remaining fleet to ensure students' safe transport to school, officials said in a statement.
Monetary damages have not yet been calculated.
Residents of the affected area were told they could return to their homes at about 5 p.m. All evacuations had been lifted by 5:30 p.m.
See live video as the fire unfolded at this link or embedded below.