A small fire in a restroom at Vista Middle School Thursday evening has prompted Las Cruces Public Schools officials to close the building Friday while repairs are assessed, and an investigation takes place.
Source: Las Cruces Public Schools
Story By: Kelly Jameson
The fire was reported around 5:30 p.m. The school was hosting a STEM event at the time. School officials notified emergency personnel and evacuated everyone from the building safely. The fire was quickly contained, and no injuries were reported.
Vista students will complete assignments remotely on Friday. The school is expected to reopen on Tuesday, Nov. 12, as Monday, Nov. 11 was a previously scheduled remote learning day.
City of Las Cruces Communications Office added:
Las Cruces firefighters extinguished a commercial fire that damaged a Las Cruces Middle School Thursday evening.
At about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, November 7, Las Cruces firefighters were dispatched to a fire alarm activation at Vista Middle School located on the 4400 block of Elks Drive. Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority received information that a fire was found a staff member inside the school. A commercial structure fire response was initiated. The first crew arrived within five minutes of being dispatched to find several occupants of the school safely evacuated. A fire was located in a bathroom with very minor damage.
A school staff member had safely used a nearby fire extinguisher which kept the fire from growing and allowed crews to quickly extinguish the remaining fire and ventilate the building.
A school event was occurring at the time of the fire, however is not believed to have been connected to the fire. LCFD fire investigators believe a mechanical or electrical malfunction in the bathroom may have contributed to the ignition of the fire. Preliminary evidence indicates the fire was not intentionally ignited.
School district safety officials arrived to the school quickly and coordinated with the fire investigator. Any inquiries about the school district’s response should be directed to Las Cruces Public Schools.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damage estimates are not available at this time. No injuries were reported.
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