Dandridge Elementary Evacuation Due To Student Set Fire
Earlier Monday, Dandridge Elementary School experienced a fire inside of one of the academic wings. The school closed in response to the fire that began just prior to the start of the school day. The incident began at 7:50 this morning in a restroom on the 2nd grade hallway following a student using a device to set toilet paper on fire in one of the restroom stalls.
Students were entering the building preparing to start the day of learning when a staff member noticed a student exit the restroom and shortly after smelled smoke. Upon entering the restroom, the staff member observed smoke in the restroom and subsequently found a fire in one of the stalls where the toilet paper previously ignited had spread to the plastic molding that holds the paper and onto one of the partition walls.
The teacher immediately reported to another staff member that helped while others notified the administrative team at Dandridge Elementary School. Fire evacuation procedures were immediately implemented by sounding the fire alarm, evacuating the building, and notifying emergency officials. Additionally, one staff member used a portable fire extinguisher to try to contain the fire.
Dandridge Elementary School is located adjacent to the Jefferson County Justice Center and Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Coffey and his staff immediately opened space at the Justice Center to help place children in a warmer environment and to ensure better supervision of the student population.
Parents were notified through a district one-call that the school would be closed the balance of the day. Parents were also provided instructions for picking up students at the Jefferson County Justice Center. Parents were also notified the elementary buses would be bringing children back home as quickly as buses could be brought to the justice center.
The administrative team in conjunction with local law enforcement has identified the student that set fire to the restroom and the student has been appropriately disciplined and will not be on the campus the balance of the first semester.
A decision on resuming school for Dandridge will be made during early evening hours after cleanup crews provided an estimated timeframe for the work to be completed.
Dandridge Elementary Principal – Jim Hodge
“Thanks to our faculty and parents for pulling together in dealing with a situation that was unexpected. With everyone working together, the students and adults were safe and all students were able to be safely delivered back to their respective homes.”
Director of Schools – Shane Johnston
“We are grateful that no one was injured in today’s fire. The entire Dandridge Elementary faculty and staff did an amazing job of responding to this situation and took great care of each child. The response from all the emergency agencies was impressive and greatly appreciated.”
“We also would like to thank Sheriff Jeff Coffey and all the various offices associated with the Jefferson County Justice Center for opening their doors to keep our students warm and safe. Using this building for a reunification center worked well and everyone’s efforts to help our teachers and students is greatly appreciated.”
