Fire at middle school deemed accidental
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A fire at the Presque Isle Middle School last Wednesday has been determined to be accidental in nature.
Firefighters with the Presque Isle Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at the school around 6 p.m. on May 29.
“We responded to 569 Skyway St. (Presque Isle Middle School) for a fire alarm. Upon our arrival, we had smoke showing in the gymnasium,” said Deputy Fire Chief Adam Rider, of the PIFD.
Upon investigating, firefighters found the origins of the smoke to be in the wood shop area.
“We found a trash can on fire in the wood shop and quickly extinguished the fire. The blaze was contained in the trash can,” said Rider, noting there was no damage to the structure.
“There was minimal smoke damage in the wood shop area and the gymnasium. We ventilated the area to clear the smoke. The cause of the fire appears to be accidental,” said Rider.
A total of 13 firefighters responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.
