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Thursday, September 4, 2008 9:59 PM CDT
School fire leads to canceled classes



Go to our multimedia page to check out some more photos from the fire.

CHARLESTON — Students get a three-day weekend in the Charleston school district after a Thursday evening fire damaged the high school.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, according to officials.

Superintendent Jim Littleford said there will be no school at any facility in the district today as all personnel assist with cleanup at CHS.

It would be “difficult” to hold classes anywhere in the district, he noted, since all employees will be rolling up their sleeves to clean up at the high school.

The district’s 12-month employees should report to work at their regular time and place today, Littleford said; such employees include secretaries, administrators, custodians and maintenance personnel. Teachers will not report to work.

The Charleston-Mount Zion football game will be played as scheduled at 7 p.m. at Trojan Field, the superintendent said. The dance scheduled for after the game, however, will not take place.

Littleford noted that he expects all classes to resume Monday.

Thursday evening, a fire gutted a concession stand room near the high school auditorium but was contained to that room, fire department officials said at the scene.

The fire was reported around 7 p.m. Thursday, when CHS was hosting a cheerleading clinic in which more than 100 girls of various ages were participating. The students and school workers were evacuated without injury. Charleston Fire Department personnel worked throughout the school to clear smoke from the building.

Just before 8 p.m., fire Chief Kris Phipps and Littleford, along with CHS Principal Diane Hutchins and school board President Gail Mason, met to discuss the situation. Shortly thereafter, it was announced that school would close for today.


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Jake_1988 wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:55 PM:

" Wow I am so glad that the auditorium didn't catch on fire and that no one was hurt! "

Rotty wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:30 PM:

" We arrived at CHS just as the fire alarms were going off.

Our child was preparing to attend the Powder Puff Football meeting for homecoming.

It's too bad they had to have a quick meeting outside in the drizzling rain.

It was interesting to observe all the emergency vehicles arriving & watching things unfold.

We're glad everyone was cleared from the building, & that no serious injuries occurred.

Thanks to anyone & everyone involved! "

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE
A Charleston firefighter walks through the halls of Charleston High School while helping tackle a blaze there Thursday evening. Jay Grabiec/Staff Photographer


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