WYOMING, Mich. — After a fire destroyed a Wyoming Public Schools garage, witnesses are recounting the moments they saw the flames.
Kevin Osbun, who works at the Speedy Wash near the garage, says he was getting ready to help a customer when he saw the flames.
"I had noticed one of the buses inside the garage had flames rolling out one of the back windows. So, I ran inside, called 911 by time I got back out there, within five minutes, it was totally engulfed,” said Osbun,
He says he was shocked to see the fire grow so large.
“It was almost like being in, watching a movie, basically. You could feel them as they were exploding, you know, because I was saying the fires there, and I'm standing over here, it was different. Yeah, I've never seen anything like that,” said Osbun.
He was joined by dozens of people watching the fire, including commissioner-elect Rober Womack.
"It was in so much flames. It was like Miss O'Leary's cow kicked over the barn,” said Womack, referencing the Great Chicago Fire.
Womack was getting new tires at the discount tires next door when the fire broke out.
"I saw flames coming off the first building landing on the roof of the second building, and that began to cause a fire on the second roof. And as the firemen pulled up, they jumped on the second roof, they put that out,” said Womack.
The fire was so large, 13 ON YOUR SIDE was able to capture the large black smoke miles away.
Details are limited as to what caused the fire, but officials confirmed when the fire sparked around 10:00 am, two school buses and two district employees were inside of the garage.
Osbun says he saw those employees jumping into action during the fire.
"They were backing cars out of the garage as the fire was going on. So I give them two guys props,” said Osbun.
Wyoming fire inspector Brad Dornbos says those employees were not seriously injured.
"I mean, most importantly, everybody's safe, right? I mean, we want everybody to get out and, you know, and first and foremost, but, yeah, just with minor smoke inhalation, that's, you know, fantastic,” said Dornbos.
The fire did not impact transportation for the district.
Both Wyoming and Grandville fire officials responded to the fire.
Dornbos says officials had to call in more firefighters than usual, because the cold can wear down firefighters quicker.