The Fairhaven Fire Department believes the fire at East Fairhaven School on 9/22/24 started in this outlet powering a fan, causing minimal fire damage, and enough smoke damage to close the school for at least three days. Photo courtesy of the Fairhaven Fire Department.
By Beth David, Editor
East Fairhaven School willl be closed until at least Thursday, 9/26/24, due to a fire. A fire alarm went off at 7:25 p.m. on Sunday, 9/22, leading firefighters to the second floor. Smoke and heat detectors in Rooms 232 and 240 were activated.
Firefighters located the fire on the exterior wall of room 232 and were able to extinguish it with their water extinguisher.
“The cause is still under investigation but is believed to have been caused by a dual blade window fan plugged into an outlet on that exterior wall,” wrote the Fire Department in a press release.
According to a press release by Superintendent Tara Kohler, the fire department extinguished the fire quickly enough to keep the sprinkler system from engaging.
The damage was contained to one section of the wall near the outlet.
“After the fire was put out, quite a bit of smoke and soot throughout the second floor needed to be cleared,” according to Ms. Kohler.
To properly clean all soot and smoke damage, East Fairhaven School will also be canceled through Wednesday. The district plans to reopen the school to all students and staff on Thursday, 9/26
“After a preliminary investigation, the Fairhaven Fire Department informed district officials that the cause of the fire was a double fan that likely had an internal wire malfunction,” wrote Ms. Kohler. “We thank the Fairhaven Fire Department for their swift response and support.”
The district is updating parents regularly. Find them on Facebook for updates.
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