Just before 9 a.m. Tuesday, a fire at Westwood Elementary in St. Cloud abruptly cut the school day short as staff hustled students out of the building and into a safe area. Teachers and other school employees moved kids quickly and calmly while emergency crews rushed in to secure the campus.
Evacuation And Emergency Response
As reported by KARE11, first responders joined school staff in the evacuation effort after the blaze was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Students were moved to a nearby reunification point, where they were brought back together with family members at Westwood Community Church while crews checked the school building.
Investigation And Building Safety Check
According to a city release cited by KARE11, the State Fire Marshal has opened an investigation into what sparked the fire. Martin Sayre said city agencies are working with the school district to assess the building and decisions about future occupancy, with primary concerns centered on air quality and cleanup of the affected area.
Where Families Were Told To Go
Westwood Elementary is listed at 5800 Ridgewood Rd, and Westwood Community Church, the reunification site, lists its address as 5719 Walnut Dr. The district and the city have not provided a timeline for when the school might reopen as they continue to evaluate air quality and coordinate cleanup.
Officials did not immediately release additional details about the cause of the fire or any injuries. This story will be updated as the city or school district releases new information.
