Idaho
Early morning fire destroys wing of Idaho high school
On this picture taken from video from KIFI Native Information 8, firefighters work on the scene of an early morning fireplace at a big highschool in Pocatello, Idaho, Friday, (KIFI Native Information 8 by way of Related Press)
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POCATELLO, Idaho — An early morning fireplace destroyed half of a giant highschool within the southern Idaho metropolis of Pocatello on Friday.
Nobody was injured within the fireplace, however Pocatello Fireplace Division Assistant Chief Shane Develop mentioned one wing of Highland Excessive Faculty was fully destroyed. The wing housed the college’s cafeteria, gymnasium, choir and band rooms, and it had extreme structural harm together with a collapsed roof.
Nonetheless, the Pocatello Faculty District mentioned in a memo to oldsters that it seems the fireplace doorways between the opposite wings of the college operated correctly, stopping the fireplace from spreading.
It is not but clear how a lot smoke and water harm occurred to the remainder of the college, however at the very least two different wings have “vital water on the ground floor,” the district mentioned.
“We want we may have saved the whole faculty however really feel good that we have stored the fireplace from spreading to the opposite wings,” Develop mentioned.
The hearth was reported simply earlier than 4 a.m., and when firefighters arrived they discovered flames exhibiting above the constructing amid heavy snowfall. Develop mentioned an investigation into the reason for the fireplace would start as soon as the smoke clears.
The college has roughly 1,500 college students, making it one of many largest in Idaho. Faculty district officers canceled lessons till Tuesday and mentioned they might swap to distant studying then till lessons can resume in-person. Standardized testing set for subsequent week has been postponed and Idaho State College is now internet hosting the college’s promenade, set for Saturday.
Officers are working with the district’s insurance coverage firm to interchange any private property that was destroyed within the fireplace, and making an attempt to give you plans to deal with faculty lunches for the remainder of the yr, the district mentioned in a memo to oldsters.
Develop mentioned he doesn’t anticipate any a part of the college to reopen earlier than the present faculty yr ends in June.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little mentioned he was working with Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and native officers to find out the district’s wants.