EVERETT — Mercy Transportation, the Everett-based company which had two vans destroyed by fire on Thursday morning, hopes to have replacements ready to roll next week.
Drivers for the company are on their way to California this weekend to pick up two new vans, said Elene Miller, operations supervisor.
Transportation services could be back to normal by Thursday or Friday, she said.
The company provides transportation for about 150 passengers throughout Western Washington each day, she said. Many of the riders are disabled and need transportation to appointments for kidney dialysis, eye exams and other medical checks.
“We transport a lot of people with wheelchairs, people who can’t get around any other way,” Miller said.
Two of the company’s vans, which were parked in the 6300 block of Evergreen Way, were destroyed by fire early Thursday morning. Fire crews arrived by 2:30 a.m.
One of the vans had more than 200,000 miles on it, she said.
“When I first looked at those vehicles, I thought the vans had blown up,” Miller said. “There’s just nothing left of them. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vehicle burned that badly.”
Damage was estimated at $50,000 but costs for purchasing the two new vans is expected to hit $80,000, Miller said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The company has been trying to fulfill trip requests with a reduced fleet of 16 vans.
“A lot of trips were late,” she said. “Most of the people didn’t complain. They knew what happened.”
Sharon Salyer:425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
