Gallup Hill Elementary School in Ledyard remains closed today, Friday, following an intentional fire set by a student on Wednesday. The incident caused significant smoke damage, leading to an early dismissal and subsequent school cancellations on Thursday and Friday as cleanup efforts continue.
Key Takeaways
- Gallup Hill Elementary School is closed Friday after a student-set fire.
- The fire, intentionally set in a bathroom stall, caused significant smoke damage.
- Cleanup crews are working to remediate the entire second floor.
- No injuries were reported during the evacuation.
- Police have issued a juvenile summons for the student involved.
Intentional Fire Causes Extensive Damage
Ledyard Public Schools Superintendent Jason Hartling confirmed the fire was intentionally set by a student in a second-floor bathroom stall on Wednesday morning. The quick actions of an adult who immediately pulled the fire alarm ensured a rapid evacuation.
All students and staff were safely evacuated within six minutes, and everyone was accounted for. No injuries or hospitalizations occurred due to the fire or smoke exposure, a significant relief for the community.
Quick Facts
- Fire set Wednesday morning.
- Evacuation completed in six minutes.
- No injuries reported.
- Second floor most affected by smoke.
Extensive Cleanup Underway
The fire produced a substantial amount of smoke, affecting the entire second floor of the school building. Superintendent Hartling described the damage as significant, primarily due to smoke and soot.
Professional remediation crews are actively working to restore the affected areas. Their tasks include cleaning all air vents, wiping down every surface, and replacing all ceiling tiles on the second floor. The goal is to return the school to a pristine, clean state for students and staff.
“The cleanup effort that’s underway right now is to deal with the smoke damage,” Hartling stated. “We have a professional crew fully remediating the second floor. Everything from cleaning out all of the air vents, wiping down all surfaces and replacing all the ceiling tiles on the second floor.”
Community Concerns and Support
The incident has caused concern among parents and residents in Ledyard. One grandmother, whose grandson attends Gallup Hill, expressed her worry.
“He was saying ‘Nana, there was a fire, and it was bad,’” she shared, requesting anonymity. She watched her grandson on Thursday due to the school closure. She added, “There’s no explanation about why it happened, so that concerns me. There’s no school tomorrow so that must mean there’s some serious damage.”
Despite the disruption, community members expressed relief that no one was hurt. BJ Pullen of Ledyard remarked, “You got a lot of little kids in that school and that’s scary for them, big time. I’m glad they found out about it quickly and no one was injured.” Linda Harris, also from Ledyard, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of a swift response.
Background on School Safety
School safety protocols, including fire drills and emergency evacuation plans, are critical for protecting students and staff. Rapid response by school personnel and emergency services can minimize harm during incidents like this. Regular maintenance and inspection of fire safety equipment are also essential.
Investigation and Financial Impact
Ledyard police have confirmed that the student acted alone in setting the fire. A juvenile summons has been issued for the student involved. Details on how the fire was set have not been publicly disclosed.
The financial implications of the damage are still being assessed. The Ledyard school district is collaborating with the Board of Education to determine how to cover the costs of the extensive cleanup and repairs. They are also in communication with their insurance providers. It remains unclear how long the full remediation process will take before students can safely return to classes.
Looking Ahead
The school district is committed to ensuring the building is completely safe and clean before reopening. “We’re going to go through and clean all the ducts to make sure that any smoke that traveled, any soot, anything like that is addressed. They will come back to, pristine, clean school, and get ready and back to learning,” Superintendent Hartling affirmed.
This incident highlights the importance of school safety measures and the dedicated efforts of school staff and emergency responders in protecting students. The community looks forward to a safe return to learning at Gallup Hill Elementary.