For Immediate Release

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: john@jgpr.net

Stoneham Fire Department Responds to Colonial Park Elementary School After Burning Odor Reported

STONEHAM – Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the  Stoneham Fire Department responded to an elementary school this morning after staff reported a burning odor in the building.

At 8:43 a.m., the Stoneham Fire Department received a call from the administration at the Colonial Park Elementary School, 30 Avalon Road, reporting a burning smell.

Engines 2, 3 and 4 responded to the scene. Out of an abundance of caution, students were evacuated. Stoneham Police also arrived on scene, and the Wakefield Fire Department provided station coverage.

Firefighters were quickly able to determine the cause of the smell, which originated from a motor on the roof that controls the exhaust fan in some of the school’s bathrooms.

Earlier in the morning, a crash on Perkins Street knocked a pole down, resulting in a portion of Colonial Park’s power to go out. When the power returned, officials believe that it may have created a surge that potentially triggered the motor to burn out and thus produced an odor.

Students were able to return to the building and were brought to the cafeteria and gymnasium while crews ventilated the rear of the building, where the odor was the strongest. The affected bathrooms were also closed for the day.

No injuries were reported and firefighters cleared the scene around 9:45 a.m. Students returned to class once the building was sufficiently ventilated.

“This was a collaborative effort between the Fire Department, school administration and the Police Department,” Chief Grafton said. “In situations like these, we work as a team to best ensure the safety of students and staff at all schools.”

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