School Bus Fire In East Hills Under Investigation

EAST HILLS (KDKA) - Only charred remains and a melted frame are left after a school bus was burned Monday night in the East Hills.

The bus was parked in the lot of Dick Valley Service Station on Bennett Street. It's owned by Ricketts transportation, one of the companies that Pittsburgh Public Schools contracts for student transportation.

Dick Valley owns the gas station where Ricketts parks its fleet of buses.

"I just knew somebody put a bomb or gasoline or something on it...that's really gutted," said Valley.

Firefighters were called to the gas station about 8:20 p.m. Monday. In addition to the bus being destroyed, flames also scorched the school van parked beside it and the gas station.

Firefighters had to climb on the roof of the gas station to put out the flames.

"They tell me the firemen were on the roof chopping," said Valley. "So, they probably put a couple holes up on that too."

Investigators will determine if the fire was intentionally set. The gas station does not have surveillance video.

Meanwhile, Valley said he's never seen anything like this before and believes it may have been kids who were just having fun.

"I just think some kids torched it," he said.

There is also some damage to the gas station, including smoke damage and broken lights.

Valley said the gas station remains open for business.

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