Police investigate deliberate fire at Greenock bus depot that destroyed school transport

Police Scotland has launched a criminal investigation after a fire deliberately set at a Greenock bus depot destroyed several vehicles including a school bus on Friday evening. Fire crews were called to the Lynedoch Street site shortly after 4:30pm and brought the blaze under control later that evening, with no injuries reported.

The incident has raised immediate concerns about school transport provision in Inverclyde, with the damaged school bus potentially affecting pupil journeys when the new term begins. Police confirmed they are treating the fire as deliberate and have begun enquiries to identify those responsible.

Emergency response brings blaze under control

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews responded to reports of the fire at the depot on Lynedoch Street shortly after 4:30pm on Friday. Multiple appliances attended the scene as flames spread through the facility, damaging several commercial vehicles parked inside.

Fire crews worked through the evening to bring the blaze under control and prevent it spreading to adjacent properties. The depot, which houses various commercial vehicles including buses used for school transport, sustained significant damage during the incident.

Emergency services confirmed no one was injured during the fire, though the full extent of the damage to vehicles and the building structure is still being assessed. Fire investigators remained at the scene over the weekend to examine the cause and spread of the blaze, working alongside police forensics teams to gather evidence.

The rapid response from multiple fire appliances prevented the flames from spreading to nearby residential properties and other commercial premises along Lynedoch Street. Neighbouring businesses were evacuated as a precaution while crews tackled the blaze.

School transport disruption fears for new term

The destruction of at least one school bus in the fire has prompted concerns about potential disruption to pupil transport when schools return. The damaged vehicle was among several destroyed in the blaze, though the exact number of affected buses has not been disclosed.

Local councillors and parent groups are seeking reassurance from Inverclyde Council about contingency plans for school transport provision. The timing of the incident, occurring during the summer break, may provide operators with time to source replacement vehicles before pupils return to classes.

Transport operators in the area are likely reviewing their fleet capacity to determine whether alternative arrangements can be put in place for affected routes. The loss of vehicles comes at a particularly challenging time for school transport services, which are already facing driver shortages and rising fuel costs across Scotland.

Inverclyde Council's education department is expected to meet with transport contractors this week to assess the impact on routes serving schools across Greenock, Port Glasgow and Gourock. Some rural routes may be particularly vulnerable to disruption if replacement vehicles cannot be sourced quickly.

Criminal investigation gathers momentum

Police Scotland detectives have confirmed the fire was started deliberately and are conducting a full criminal investigation into the incident. Officers are examining the scene and reviewing any available CCTV footage from the area around Lynedoch Street.

The investigation will focus on establishing how the fire was started and identifying those responsible for what appears to be an act of deliberate vandalism. Police have appealed for any witnesses who may have seen suspicious activity in the area on Friday evening to come forward.

Detective Inspector Sarah Morrison, leading the investigation, described the incident as a serious crime that has caused significant disruption to local transport services. The police are working with fire investigators to determine the exact method used to start the blaze and whether accelerants were involved.

Local residents reported seeing suspicious figures near the depot in the hours before the fire broke out, and police are following up on these witness accounts. The investigation team is also examining whether the incident is connected to any previous vandalism or criminal activity in the area.

Community impact and recovery efforts

The fire has highlighted the vulnerability of essential transport infrastructure in Inverclyde, with the depot serving multiple routes across the region. Local businesses and schools that rely on the affected vehicles may face disruption while replacement arrangements are made.

Inverclyde Council is expected to work with transport operators to assess the impact on school services and ensure alternative provision is available when required. The incident comes at a time when many councils across Scotland are already facing challenges with school transport capacity and costs.

Community leaders have expressed concern about the deliberate nature of the attack, describing it as an assault on essential local services. Local MSP Stuart McMillan called for swift action to identify those responsible and ensure adequate security measures are put in place to prevent similar incidents.

The depot operators are working with their insurers to assess the full financial impact, which could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. The company has indicated it will explore temporary premises while repairs are carried out to the damaged facility.

According to BBC Scotland's report, the investigation remains active with police continuing to gather evidence from the scene. The depot operators will need to work with insurers to assess the full cost of the damage and determine timescales for repairs.

Anyone with information about the fire is being urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting the relevant incident number, or speak to officers anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.