Aspiro shows off its new buses it received after a community fundraiser to replace its fleet that was destroyed in a fire, April 5, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The story of a fire that destroyed buses belonging to a Green Bay nonprofit has a happy ending.
Back in February, an early morning fire destroyed four buses in the parking lot of Aspiro in Green Bay. A fifth bus was also damaged.
Aspiro helps people with disabilities and the buses are a critical part of its daily operations.
New information has been released regarding the cause of the fire, although the cause is listed as ‘undetermined’.
Lieutenant Shauna Walesh with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department says two possible instances could have occurred.
“The first one is that an electrical conductor in one of the busses was damaged, or shorted out and started the fire,” said Walesh. “The second theory is that one of the busses was started on fire intentionally by a person.”
The case is still open; but the date that the cause is officially solved is still to be determined.
With insurance picking up about 20% of the bus replacement costs, the community stepped in to help raise the rest.
Last month, Aspiro announced it had raised more than $484,000 through a GoFundMe page, donations from businesses, individuals as well as other fundraisers and an insurance payout.
On Wednesday, Aspiro showed off two new buses at Lamar Advertising in De Pere. Aspiro was also able to buy a third, used bus as well.
Clients have named the new busses, ‘Shiny Express One’ and ‘Shiny Express Two.’
The new buses were already put to work today, transferring clients.
Anybody with additional information on the fire is encouraged to call the Green Bay Metro Fire Department at 920-448-3280.
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