Thoreau Elementary School in Concord stayed dark on Tuesday after a late-night fire set off the building’s sprinkler system and filled much of the campus with smoke. Fire crews tracked a small blaze to the ceiling of a classroom wing and worked through the night to ventilate and secure the school. No injuries were reported. District officials told families the building will remain closed while crews assess smoke and water damage and investigators sort out what sparked the fire, so students who normally attend Thoreau are starting the day away from campus while the district figures out next steps.
Fire Response And Initial Findings
Firefighters and police were called to the Thoreau campus around 9:15 p.m. Monday after reports of both an activated fire alarm and a sprinkler flow alarm, according to Boston 25 News. Crews discovered the fire burning in the ceiling of a classroom wing, and the fire chief said the school’s sprinkler system kept the flames from spreading beyond that area. Rooms next to where the fire started took the brunt of the fire and water damage, and smoke moved through much of the building, which led the district to shut the school for the day.
Smoke, Damage And Investigation
When firefighters arrived, they reported smelling smoke and were met by two night custodians who described a “hazy smoke condition” inside the school, according to The Boston Globe. Officials told the Globe there was no structural damage, but the classroom wing built in 1994 had the heaviest smoke, and firefighters spent the night ventilating the building. The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office was notified of the incident. Mutual aid companies came in from Acton, Bedford and Maynard, while Sudbury and Wayland departments provided coverage at Concord’s stations so local crews could remain at the scene.
Mutual Aid And What Happens Next
Neighboring departments backed up Concord’s firefighters at the school while other towns covered the city’s firehouses, keeping local engines available if anything else cropped up. Crews stayed on site to make sure the fire was completely out and to continue clearing smoke from the building, and no injuries were reported, according to NBC Boston. Officials said families will get updates once there is a clearer timeline for reopening. For now, the district has not set a reopening date, and inspections will determine whether any sections of the school can be used while repairs are underway.
About Thoreau And Next Steps
Thoreau Elementary serves pre-K through grade 5 students and sits on Prairie Street. More information about the school is available on its website at Thoreau Elementary School. The Boston Globe reported the school serves roughly 435 students. District leaders say they will continue working with fire officials to determine the scope of repairs and when it is safe to bring students back. Families are being told to watch for direct communications from the district as the Concord Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office finish their investigation.
