The city’s fire marshal has determined that a fire that burned out several school buses at a Strickland Avenue bus depot last week was caused by an arsonist.
Someone intentionally set ablaze to the buses parked inside the lot near E. 59 Place and Mayfair Drive South, in the early hours of July 13, according to city officials.
Police said that either a group of people or someone acting alone gained entry to the garage of The Seth Transportation Incorporated just before 3 am, and lit a fire scorching more than seven buses and destroying them, according to police.
The location of the garage, which is just across from residential homes, could have posed a danger, said the district manager for Community Board 18.
“Truthfully, I’m glad that no one is hurt,” said Dorothy Turano,. “I really don’t know who could’ve done this, but six to seven buses were burned, and thank goodness no one was hurt.”
The depot is one several lots for yellow school buses located along Strickland Avenue. Despite complaints from residents in the past about idling by the buses, Turano doubts any of the nearby residents may have been involved in the suspicious fire.
“We haven’t had those complaints or other issues in years and this was the first time this has happened, so I was a little taken aback,” she said.
Turano also pointed out that the area is usually busy around the time of the fire.
“Around 3:30 and 4 am there’s a lot of bus traffic and it is horrendous,” Turano said.
Seth Transportation did not return calls for comment, but the police department says the investigation is active and ongoing.
