Butte fire official says burning of YMCA bus is suspicious

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) - A bus used by the Butte YMCA to pick up kids for after-school programs has burned up in the building’s parking lot.

The Montana Standard reports that the bus burned Monday morning. Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department Battalion Chief Rick Ryan said firefighters arrived to find the bus engulfed in flames. He said items found at the scene makes the fire suspicious, but he didn’t want to elaborate pending further investigation.

Sheriff Ed Lester said police were part of that investigation.

Phillip Borup, chief executive officer of the Butte YMCA, said the YMCA purchased the 21-seat bus a few years ago with money that William Jones donated in memory of his wife, Lillian Gail Jones. The YMCA was able to expand its after-school programs for low-income youth because of the bus.

___

Information from: The Montana Standard, http://www.mtstandard.com