West Haven Elementary School in Weber School District was forced to cancel school for the day after a fire, which later reports indicated was intentionally set, broke out Tuesday morning. KSLTV reports that the fire started just as the school day was commencing, with some students already inside the building having breakfast in the cafeteria.
Lane Findlay, a spokesperson for the Weber School District, described that the fire "originated in a bathroom, and it activated our sprinkler system," indicating that the flames were quickly extinguished. Despite the prompt response from the sprinkler system, "there was quite a bit of water" that flooded the common areas and hallways, the event caused while students were on their way or in the building, according to KSL. As a precaution, staff evacuated the few students in the cafeteria to a nearby field.
In the wake of the fire, all students were transported to an evacuation site at a church situated north of the West Haven Elementary. Here, staff executed a "unification" process, ensuring that all children were accounted for and safely reunited with their parents or emergency contacts, who had been promptly notified about the incident as detailed by KSL.
Subsequent investigations into the fire have turned up concerning findings. The blaze has been deemed intentional, as the damage was confined to a bathroom towel dispenser, as reported by KUTV. This revelation prompted the district to look into the matter further, an 11-year-old student is now suspected of starting the fire. While the West Haven Elementary community seeks to understand the motive behind such an act, the damage done to the building – albeit contained – has raised serious concerns about safety and the well-being of students.
