Students at Stanley Humphries Secondary School started spring break a day early after a small fire at the school on Thursday, March 17, prompted School District 20 to cancel classes for the following day.
The fire was reported just after 3 p.m., shortly after school was dismissed. The fire began in a light fixture in the gymnasium and was contained to that area.
SHSS principal Chantal St. Jacques said the Castlegar Fire Department responded quickly and all remaining students and staff in the building were able to exit safely.
St. Jacques says that the school realizes that some students may have left items at the school that they may need during the spring break, so the school will be communicating with the SHSS community about potential access to the site once the safety of the building has been assessed.
Fire Chief Sam Lattanzio says Technical Safety BC is investigating the cause of the fire.
“SD20 is following recommendations given to have structural and electrical engineering inspections conducted and as well as clean up and repairs done before occupying that part of the building,” explained Lattanzio.
School is currently scheduled to resume on April 4.
On the same day, another fire in Castlegar destroyed a home in the 2200 block of Columbia Avenue.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter