$10,000 reward for info on school bus fires

State and local fire investigators Saturday were still trying to determine what caused Friday morning’s blaze that destroyed or heavily damaged nine school buses in Gainesville.

A $10,000 reward has been posted for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the fire, which broke out about 4:30 a.m. Friday at the Gainesville City Schools bus shop on Woods Mill Road.

Eight buses were destroyed and a ninth was heavily damaged. School superintendent Merrianne Dyer estimated that it would cost $60,000 to $70,000 for each bus that needs to be replaced.

State arson investigators were sent to the scene, and Glenn Allen, spokesman for Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine, said Saturday that there were no new developments in the investigation.

“Although the fire has not been ruled arson, Commissioner Oxendine wants anyone who may have information about this fire to call the Arson Hotline at 800-282-5804,” Allen said. “If the fire is determined to be arson and the information provided by the tipster leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible, then they would be eligible for the reward.”

Friday was the last day of classes for Gainesville’s seven schools.

Morning bus routes were canceled while officials inspected the remaining buses, but the system ran the afternoon routes, Dyer said.

“Our drivers were so committed to seeing the children [Friday] afternoon to say, ‘Happy last day of school’ and ‘Goodbye,’” Dyer said.