A midday fire inside a girls’ bathroom at Ashbrook High School in Gastonia sent students out of their classrooms and off campus on Wednesday, as staff moved quickly to order a full evacuation. Fire crews contained and extinguished the blaze before it could spread, and authorities say there were no injuries to students or staff. Police have opened an investigation into what sparked the fire.
Police and school response
According to WCCB Charlotte, the fire was reported around 1 p.m. All students were moved outside while firefighters went to work inside the building. Officials told the station the blaze was quickly knocked down and contained to the bathroom area, and the cause is still under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact School Resource Officer R. Jentsch at 704-866-3320 or Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000, police said.
Ashbrook and the district
Ashbrook is one of Gaston County Schools’ high schools serving the Gastonia area, according to Gaston County Schools. The district lists Ashbrook among its high school campuses and provides contact details for parents and community members on its site.
Local pattern of school vandalism
The Ashbrook bathroom fire follows a February incident at Bessemer City High School, where a blaze and heavy vandalism led to arrests and criminal charges, as detailed in coverage of how a teen allegedly torched Bessemer City High and trashed school buses. Those earlier episodes prompted security reviews on some Gaston County campuses.
Police say the investigation at Ashbrook remains ongoing, WCCB Charlotte reported. This story will be updated as officials release more details.
