Fire Erupts at Lunenburg Middle/High School on Opening Day

News Summary

A fire at Lunenburg Middle/High School prompted the evacuation of students and staff on the first day of academic year. Flames broke out from solar panels, but no injuries were reported. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, and an investigation into the cause is underway, focusing on potential electrical issues. Fortunately, classes are set to resume the following day, with no serious damage reported to the building’s structure.

Lunenburg – A fire at Lunenburg Middle/High School forced an evacuation of students and staff on the first day of the academic year. The incident occurred just after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, when flames erupted from the building’s solar panels. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and students were able to exit the building safely.

The fire was first noticed by students, with Senior Kyla Toberos observing black smoke rising from the back of the building. Many students, including Senior Tatum Furman, initially thought the smoke was part of a scheduled fire drill. However, upon seeing the visible smoke and hearing sirens, they quickly realized the situation was serious.

Firefighters were dispatched promptly, and they reported visible damage to at least five solar panels on the roof. Appreciating the urgent nature of the fire, firefighters extinguished the flames in approximately 15 to 20 minutes using dry chemical extinguishers, as water is ineffective on solar panel fires. Lunenburg Fire Chief Patrick Sullivan explained that solar panels can continue producing electricity when exposed to sunlight, complicating firefighting efforts.

In addition to damaging the solar panels, the roof of the school’s weight room sustained minor damage during the incident. Fortunately, the weight room was empty at that time, further reducing the risk of injury. A building and electrical inspector is set to evaluate the school’s structural safety as a precautionary measure.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with initial indicators pointing to an electrical malfunction, possibly due to wear and tear or a short circuit. Classes were scheduled to resume the following day, on Wednesday.

Superintendent of Schools Jodi Fortuna expressed relief that no one was harmed during this incident and commended the staff for their efficient execution of emergency procedures. Considering the situation’s unexpected nature, students and staff were nonetheless prepared, having a fire drill in their plans for the first week of school, albeit not anticipating an actual fire.

Fire Chief Sullivan praised the swift evacuation and clear communication during the emergency, highlighting the importance of following established emergency plans. The building, which is estimated to be around eight years old, has undergone standard maintenance, and assessments will determine if any further measures need to be implemented.

A video taken by a student captured the dramatic moment when smoke began billowing from the school. As students evacuated the premises, there was a sense of irony noted by Senior Paige Daly, who pointed out that the first day of her senior year saw a fire incident unfold.

Overall, the quick response from both the emergency services and school staff mitigated what could have been a more dire situation, ensuring the safety of all individuals present during the incident.

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Additional Resources

• WCVB: Solar Panel Fire at Lunenburg High
• Wikipedia: Emergency Preparedness
• CBS News: Fire Breaks Out at Lunenburg School
• Google Search: Lunenburg School Fire
• WHDH: Fire at Lunenburg School
• Google Scholar: Solar Panel Fires
• Patch: First Day Cut Short at Lunenburg School
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Safety
• Telegram: Lunenburg Students Dismissed Early
• Google News: Lunenburg School Fire