(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman

Smoking Belt

Small fire sends students home for the day at two Sylvan Lake schools

Jan 27, 2021 | 11:45 AM

Over 300 students and approximately 35 staff from École Fox Run School in Sylvan Lake were sent home early this morning following a small fire in one of the school’s mechanical rooms.

Kurt Sacher, Superintendent for Chinook’s Edge School Division, says a belt in an upstairs mechanical room began smoking, setting off the schools fire alarms and resulting in crews from the Sylvan Lake Fire Department and RCMP attending.

Officials with the Sylvan Lake Fire Department (SLFD) confirm they were called to the scene at approximately 7:42 a.m., and note 15 members and four apparatus attended.

They say the building was evacuated upon their arrival, with smoke on the second floor. The source of the fire was determined to be HVAC and no injuries reported.

Sacher says learning will continue online for Fox Run students for the rest of the day.

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He notes damage from the fire was minimal and anticipates being able to replace the belt quickly, meaning students are expected to be able to return to school on Thursday.

In the meantime, Sacher says officials will continue to air-out the building and ensure the air quality is safe for the student’s return.

“The fire department was particularly exceptional,” said Sacher. “I’m also very proud of how our teachers and administrators responded.”

At adjacent École Mother Teresa Catholic School, parents were informed by Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools officials as well this morning not to send their students to class today either.

Students there are also learning from home today.