On Thursday, November 12, Assistant State Fire Marshall Scott Bullock announced at a press conference that a fire that severely damaged Lulu M. Ross Elementary School on October 25 was caused by a fluorescent lighting failure inside a display cabinet. Bullock stated that the fire marshal’s office initiated a thorough investigation the day of the fire.
“Due to the severity and amount of fire damage to the structure, the office of the state fire marshal immediately activated our statewide Major Incident Response Team,” Bullock said. “The team consists of highly trained and well experienced deputy fire marshal’s from across the state. This was a very complex and detailed investigation that required many hours on scene to document, collect the data, and secure evidence necessary to make a determination into the origin and cause of the fire. Our Major Incident Response team continued to dedicate several days of investigative work after the fire to conduct a more thorough examination of our evidence that we collected in a more controlled environment. We also had to collect additional data that was not immediately available at the scene the day of the incident.”
Bullock explained that the cabinet where the light failure occurred was recessed into the wall and did not protrude into the hallway. The combustible top of the case was open to the area above the ceiling which contained mechanical systems of the school, including plumbing, HVAC, electrical, communication and security systems.
“The fire continued in the area above the ceiling of the school where there are no fire or smoke detection devices available,” Bullock said. “This particular fire burns for 17 minutes before the alarm system activates and notifies the fire company. The roof support structures were also combustible, with all the heat impinging on the structural components which led to the fire extending through the roof of the school and ultimately sustaining heavy fire and water damage.”
At this time, Bullock stated that no monetary damage had been placed on the damage as that amount was changing daily as contractors, engineers and staff continue to assess the total damage.
“I want to thank the district, the school staff and everybody involved for their continued cooperation and assistance during our investigation,” Bullock said. “I’ve been doing this career for 27 years and I know how much this one hurts the students, the staff, the district personnel and the community because this is also my community. I not only attended this school, but my mother taught here for over three decades as a fourth-grade teacher and she was also my fourth-grade teacher. This school meant so much to so many in this community, but I can tell you from numerous meetings and conversations after the fire with the leaders of the school and district administrators, this is just the first chapter.”
Superintendent Travis Moorman thanked the community for the outpouring of support since the fire. He explained that the district still had a long road ahead of it to begin the rebuilding process, but he knew with the community support, the goal would be achieved.
“On October 25, we experienced heartbreak that is truly difficult to put into words,” Ross Principal Kimberly Webb said. “We are still grieving the loss of the place that held a piece of our hearts, so many memories, so much joy. Yet, in the middle of that sadness, we have experienced so many reminders that there is so much good in the world. Our students have been our greatest reminders. Their smiles, their laughter, their hugs and their love for seeing us together again and hearing laughter in the hallways.”
Fund raisers and supply drives have been set up to assist the educators and students who lost classrooms full of things needed to teach elementary students. Information on how to donate to either the fundraiser or supply drives, visit the Ross Recovery Hub on the Milford School District webpage.
