MELROSE — School leaders in Melrose are assessing
the damage from a fire that started near the wood
shop room Tuesday morning forcing the
cancellation of school.
The fire was reported at 9:08 a.m. The fire started in
the dust collection system. Flames shot out.
A teacher pulled the fire alarm and all the students
in the building, which includes wings for
elementary, middle school and high school
students, went outside, Superintendent Tom Rich
said. About 1,350 students attend Melrose in
kindergarten through grade 12.
Students walked three blocks to Melrose Lutheran
Church and City Hall. Buses took them back to the
school and everyone was on their way home by 11:
20 a.m., Rich said. Staff went home at noon. School
is expected to operate on schedule Wednesday.
The fire broke out in the southeast side of the
school.
“There was a fair amount of flames,” Rich said.
The fire could have been worse because it was near
propane tanks. Melrose Fire Department responded
to the fire.
Smoke went into about one-third of the building.
The decision was made to send students home while
that aired out, Rich said.
About 30 students were in the wood shop when the
fire broke out, Rich said.
It is unclear how much damage was done to the
school. Some tools and other equipment were
destroyed, Rich said.
“The staff and kids did a wonderful job in
evacuation. This was something we were going to
practice. We got our drill the hard way,” Rich said.
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