Statement issued by school officials regarding the school department's emergency bus plan

This statement was issued by Michael Contompasis, Interim Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools.

"This afternoon (Thursday, September 28), there was an apparent explosion at a cement company next to the Charlestown bus yard, which serves approximately one-third of the fleet of Boston Public Schools buses. No students were on board the buses at the time. The bus yard has been closed by public safety officials pending an investigation.

As a result of this emergency, no school buses are leaving the Charlestown bus yard this afternoon in order to ensure the safety of all students and drivers. Therefore, BPS families should be prepared for significant delays in yellow bus transportation this afternoon.

Schools in northern parts of the city are likely to be most affected, but the delays are likely to have a citywide impact.

Late bus routes have been added to address this problem. Of course, any parent or legal guardian may pick up his or her child at the school. Principals and other staff will remain at every school until every child has been picked up or safely boarded on a bus.

Additionally, no school buses will be used for transportation to athletic events this afternoon. All athletic events will proceed as scheduled, but all yellow buses in the fleet will be used to transport students between school and home.

We thank all Boston Public Schools students, families and staff for their patience and cooperation."