A fire that sparked from a student’s district-issued laptop led to the evacuation of Brockton High School this morning. As reported by Boston 25 News, the incident took place around 10:18 a.m. in the school's core building. The fire was quickly extinguished by school police before the arrival of the Brockton Fire Department, and no injuries were reported in the blaze.
Following the incident, the laptop was removed with a cell block blanket and taken out of the school, as noted by the WHDH. A table and some carpets in the affected classroom were reported to have sustained minor damage. Brockton High School has a student population of 3,586, according to figures from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
In response to the incident, Brockton Public Schools’ Tech Services Department will conduct spot checks on other district equipment to prevent further incidents. The fire department used specialized equipment designed to address lithium-ion battery fires, ensuring that the site was safe for return.
A spokesperson for Brockton Public Schools has expressed gratitude, saying, "We are grateful for the quick actions of school police in extinguishing this fire and ensuring student and staff safety." This sentiment echoed in a statement obtained by WHDH that further commended the Brockton Fire Department for their efforts in making the area safe following the fire.
Both students and staff were able to re-enter the building shortly after, and school activities resumed as normal. Next steps include an investigation by the Tech Services Department to understand the cause of the fire and mitigate any future risks associated with the school's equipment.
