Students and staff were successfully evacuated from Cold Spring Elementary School in Buckingham Wednesday, after a fire broke out in a second-floor classroom, said a spokesman for Midway Volunteer Fire Co.
No one was injured, and the fire, which broke out at 12:01 p.m., was contained to that classroom, he said. Midway Fire Co. Chief Hugh Hager arrived within three minutes and encountered heavy smoke, the spokesman said.
The students had already been evacuated to a safe location, which Central Bucks School District identified as Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, adjacent to the school.
A Cold Spring parent said the fire occurred in a fourth-grade classroom, which she identified as number 218. Located on Route 413, the school serves 529 students in kindergarten through six grade.
The Midway spokesman said the fire burned books, cabinets and children’s’ clothing on a rack, all along one wall in the classroom. He said the fire was under control in approximately 20 minutes, and a “substantial amount” of water, used to extinguish the fire, was being cleaned up Wednesday afternoon.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the township fire marshal’s office.
Central Bucks School District issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, reading in part, “All students and staff were quickly, safely, and efficiently evacuated to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, adjacent to the school, where faculty and administrators are supervising dismissal and reunification with parents and guardians.
“District officials have been issuing information to families, and procedures for student pick up have been issued and posted to the district’s website and social media accounts.”
The district’s statement also contained comments from Superintendent Dr. John J. Kopicki.
“Faculty and staff followed emergency procedures perfectly, and we are very proud of our students, who were calm and cooperative,” he said. “We are grateful for the support of everyone at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, to our first responders, and to our families who were patient and supportive throughout this event.”
