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Two Catoosa School Buses Burned

1,184 views · Published 28 August 2012 · 2:32 · Indexed 12 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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By Jerry Askin  Two school buses catch fire and investigators believe vandals are responsible.School hasn't started yet in Catoosa County, but officials there are now making other arrangements for students to get to class."The flames were I'd say probably 20 ft up in the air at least," says Lawrence.Lawrence and his wife got quite a wake up call Sunday morning-- the saw the two buses filled with flames."My wife woke me up, we heard the fire trucks.. We heard the sirens and when I woke up we saw the fire and the buses blazing," says Lawrence.The Lawrence's live next door to the Jack Mattox Baseball Park in Catoosa County. The same place where Catoosa County schools parks the two buses-- and the site of several incidents of vandalism in recent weeks."I think it was just some kids," says Lawrence."Somebody to set a bus like that on fire...That's a shame," says Buster Smith. He lives near the park.Arson investigators spent the afternoon picking up debris and identifying an official cause. But as for the school district-- they blame arson."We want to send a message that this is not acceptable and we won't accept this kind of behavior," says Doug Suits, Catoosa County Schools Oeperations Director.Doug Suits says they've never had a problem leaving the two buses there before.  They shuttle kids to and from Graysville Elementary and Ringgold Middle and High School."We've left them there for sometime and operated out of that lot because it's a good beginning point for those routes - and I would assume at this point, we'd go back to using that lot.. It is a pretty isolated incident," says Doug Suits.Suit says they'll repair the damage.  But in the meantime, extra buses will take students to and from school-- when class starts next week."We plan ahead for emergencies...We keep 10 buses in reserve and ready to go just for regular maintenance issues and other operational issues," says Suits.The investigation is being handled by the State Fire Marshal's Office.  They're offering a cash reward to anyone who has any information. If you have any information, you're asked to call 1-800-282-5804

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