Small fire in locker room sparks investigation

Mr. Brad Bovenkerk

A small fire occurred in room 75, the boys locker room in the Athletic hallway shortly after 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6. In an email to parents, principal Dr. Adam Zbrozek said: “The fire was immediately extinguished and all students and staff were safe and uninjured. Due to the quick response, there was no need to evacuate the school.”

A small fire in the boys locker room was reported during 4th hour on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

The incident, still under investigation, was allegedly caused by a student igniting a paper towel dispenser in the Athletic hallway locker room, according to several sources.

The fire was quickly extinguished when a student in Mr. Derrick Schonauer’s Sports and Fitness class alerted Schonauer.

The teacher contacted administration, and the fire was put out with a hand-held extinguisher.

Principal Dr. Adam Zbrozek said the building did not require evacuation due to the quick containment of the fire.

The Normal Fire Department and several members of the Normal Police Department were on campus to assess the scene Wednesday afternoon.

The extent of the damages remains unknown.

“There’s a company coming in to take a look at some possible smoke damage in the locker room,” Zbrozek said.

An investigation into the cause is still ongoing.

“We’re still working on that,” Zbrozek said yesterday afternoon. “We’re very early in that process.”

“Classes and students were able to proceed as normal for the remainder of the day,” Zbrozek said in an email to Community families, as the Normal Fire and Police Departments “ensured… the space was safe.”

Staff were alerted via email that the Athletic hallway was closed “until further notice” at 11:26 a.m. Wednesday.

At 1:14 p.m., Zbrozek informed staff of the fire, shortly before emailing families.

This is an ongoing story; updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.

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