LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Lenoir City Schools canceled classes Tuesday after an early morning fire tore through the school system’s bus yard, destroying multiple buses and causing an estimated $800,000 in damage.
The fire occurred at the school bus lot on Panther Drive near the Lenoir City Pool, according to emergency officials.
Lenoir City Dispatch initially reported that between five and 10 school buses were involved in the fire. Firefighters from the Lenoir City Fire Department and officers with the Lenoir City Police Department responded to the scene.
According to the fire department, the first engine arrived within five minutes of being dispatched and found several buses engulfed in flames.
“The first arriving engine was on scene within five minutes of being dispatched and found multiple school buses actively involved in fire,” the department said. “Firefighters worked quickly to bring the fire under control within approximately 20 minutes.”
While crews battled the blaze, firefighters from Tellico Village Fire Department provided station coverage to ensure emergency protection remained available throughout the community.
Following the fire, Lenoir City Schools Director Mark Hudson announced that classes would be canceled Tuesday due to the transportation impact and damage at the bus facility.
Fire officials said four buses were declared total losses, while two additional buses sustained heavy damage. The combined damage estimate is approximately $800,000.
No injuries were reported.
Investigators have not yet determined what sparked the fire. The Lenoir City Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are assisting with the investigation to determine the cause and origin of the blaze.
School officials have not announced when damaged buses will be replaced or whether transportation schedules could be affected beyond Tuesday.
Additional information is expected to be released as investigators continue their work.
