SOUTH DEERFIELD — A soap-dispenser fire caused the evacuation of Frontier Regional School Monday, but nobody was injured in the incident, according to Superintendent Martha Barrett.
Barrett said an individual, presumably a student, entered a boys’ restroom on the first floor and ignited a wall-mounted dispenser. The fire melted the device’s plastic, caused a great deal of smoke and blackening the wall. Barrett said another boy then entered the bathroom, saw the smoke and alerted an adult. The fire alarm was pulled at 7:38 a.m., Barrett said.
She said students were evacuated and the South Deerfield Fire District and Deerfield police responded to the school. According to Barrett, the state Fire Marshal’s Office determined the cause of the fire. She said the first class was about to begin at 7:45 a.m.
“Fortunately, there was a lot of hallway activity, so it was discovered within a relatively short period of time,” she said, commending the student who alerted an adult. Barrett said an automated call went out to families and she notified school committee members.
Principal Darius Modestow said students returned to the building at 8 a.m.
The superintendent said she could not speculate on the possibility of expulsion if the fire was set by a student.
“It’s a small school. I’m hoping the guilty person will be located, because it’s a serious offense,” she said.
You can reach Domenic Poli at:
dpoli@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 257
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