POCATELLO, Idaho—An early morning hearth destroyed half of a big highschool within the southern Idaho metropolis of Pocatello on Friday.
Nobody was injured within the hearth, however Pocatello Fireplace Division Assistant Chief Shane Develop mentioned one wing of Highland Excessive College was utterly 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 College District mentioned in a memo to folks that it seems the hearth doorways between the opposite wings of the college operated correctly, stopping the hearth from spreading.
It’s 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 “important water on the ground floor,” the district mentioned.
“We want we might have saved your complete college however really feel good that we’ve saved the hearth from spreading to the opposite wings,” Develop mentioned.
The fireplace 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 hearth would start as soon as the smoke clears.
The college has roughly 1,500 college students, making it one of many largest in Idaho. College district officers canceled lessons till Tuesday and mentioned they’d 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 hearth, and attempting to give you plans to deal with college lunches for the remainder of the yr, the district mentioned in a memo to folks.
Develop mentioned he doesn’t count on any a part of the college to reopen earlier than the present college 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.
