A Canadian teenager has been charged with arson after allegedly setting a fire that destroyed a charter bus owned by an American professional baseball team, the Kane County Cougars, during their trip to Winnipeg, Canada. The incident took place outside Blue Cross Park as the team prepared for games against the Winnipeg Goldeyes.
According to the Winnipeg Police Service, the fire occurred on May 21. Law enforcement determined it was intentionally set. Initially, two teenagers were detained, and a 15-year-old girl now faces charges for arson causing damage and possession of incendiary materials. She has been released under the custody of a responsible adult.
“The entire bus and contents were destroyed,” stated the Winnipeg Police Service in their report. The damage to the 56-seat bus and equipment is estimated at approximately $425,000.
Jackson Greteman, operations manager of Windstar, the company owning the bus, expressed disappointment over the incident. “We are very disappointed that this could happen to our family-owned company, and the loss of this vehicle will impact our business and operations,” he told CBC Lite.
Despite the significant loss, Greteman emphasized the importance of safety. “We are happy that no one was hurt in this reckless act of vandalism and are cooperating with local authorities,” he added.
The investigation into the incident continues, and while authorities have not revealed a motive, they are actively working on the case.