Fire breaks out at West Mifflin Area High School auditorium
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. (KDKA) — A fire broke out in the auditorium of West Mifflin Area High School on Monday evening.
Crews responded to a fire at the high school shortly after 5 p.m. Dispatchers said a scissor lift caught fire but no one was injured.
In a letter, West Mifflin Area Superintendent Jeffrey Soles told high school families that students would learn remotely on Tuesday. The plan was to return on Wednesday, but in an update, Soles said remote learning would continue through the rest of the week because of "ongoing extensive cleanup efforts needed to address the presence of highly corrosive soot in the building."
"The health and safety of our students and staff remain our top priority, and this remote learning period will allow us to complete the necessary remediation processes thoroughly," Soles wrote in Tuesday's letter.
Students are supposed to attend classes virtually, following their regular schedules. The plan is to return after winter break on Jan. 2, the superintendent said.
The auditorium was undergoing renovation and crews were using scissor lifts to complete the job. Authorities said the fire likely started when a unit caught fire while plugged in.
Quick action by firefighters kept the flames from spreading to other parts of the school, though there is smoke damage to the auditorium.
The orchestra concert scheduled for Wednesday night has been postponed and will be rescheduled to a later date.
"We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to provide a safe and healthy environment for our school community," Soles said.
