WILLISTON, Vt. — Four electric school buses were destroyed in a fire late Wednesday night at Allen Brook School in Williston, causing an estimated $2 million in damages to the vehicles and their charging stations.
The Williston Fire Department responded around 10:20 p.m. after custodial staff reported the blaze. Approximately 11 firefighters arrived quickly—within three minutes of dispatch—and extinguished the flames in about five minutes, preventing any spread to nearby buildings or other vehicles. No injuries were reported, as the buses were unoccupied at the time.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Vermont Division of Public Safety Fire Investigation Unit. In response to the incident, the Champlain Valley School District has suspended operation of its remaining two electric school buses until the cause is determined. As a result, Allen Brook School and Williston Central School were closed on Thursday while officials assess the situation.
This marks the latest in a series of school bus fire incidents in the Williston area in recent months. In February 2026, a separate school bus (not confirmed as electric) caught fire while being transported on a flatbed trailer at the Williston rest area off Interstate 89. That empty bus was declared a total loss after the blaze started in the engine compartment, though the towing truck and trailer sustained only minor damage.
Local news outlets including MyNBC5, WCAX, and ABC22/FOX44 have covered the Wednesday night fire, highlighting the rapid response and significant financial impact on the district. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the fire investigation team, and the school district has directed questions about operational effects to their administration.