News Summary
St. Benedict School in Decorah, Iowa, had to cancel classes following a significant fire incident reported early in the morning. The Decorah Fire Department responded promptly to the emergency, discovering heavy smoke and heat in the school’s utility room due to a damaged electrical service panel. Thankfully, no students or staff were present during the incident, and no injuries were reported. Classes are expected to resume soon as the investigation into the cause begins, emphasizing the school’s commitment to safety and preparedness.
Decorah, Iowa
St. Benedict School canceled classes on Friday due to a fire incident that occurred early in the morning. The incident prompted a swift response from the Decorah Fire Department at approximately 6:25 a.m., shortly after an alarm call was received.
Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters detected visible smoke emanating from the building. The source of the smoke was traced to the utility room located on the lower level of the school, where firefighters encountered heavy smoke and significant heat. A thorough inspection revealed a large electrical service panel that sustained extensive damage from heat exposure. Furthermore, elevated levels of smoke and carbon monoxide were found throughout the building, raising safety concerns.
In response to the situation, Alliant Energy was dispatched to disconnect power to the school, ensuring the safety of the firefighters and the structure itself. Firefighters worked efficiently to extinguish the flames and utilized ventilation methods to clear out the smoke and reduce the harmful carbon monoxide levels within the building.
Fortunately, no students or staff were present inside the school during the fire, and no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. The swift actions of the fire department and utility companies played a crucial role in managing the situation effectively.
As the investigation into the cause of the fire begins, officials have stated that they do not consider the incident to be suspicious. Principal Justin Johnson provided reassurance that the damage to the school is limited, and praised the prompt response from the fire department.
Classes at St. Benedict School are expected to resume as normal on Tuesday, pending an assessment of the extent of the damage. Additional updates regarding the situation will be communicated to the community via the school’s official Facebook page.
St. Benedict School has a history of prioritizing the safety of its students and staff, making swift incident responses a key component of its operational protocols. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety measures in educational institutions.
As the investigation continues, the community remains hopeful that classes will resume without significant disruption. The proactive measures taken by local emergency services and school officials highlight a commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment for all students.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- KCRG: Eastern Iowa Catholic School Cancels Class Following Fire
- Wikipedia: Fire Safety
- CBS2 Iowa: Classes Canceled at St. Benedict School
- Google Search: St. Benedict School fire incident
- KWWL: Classes Canceled at Decorah Catholic School Due to Smoke
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire
- Decorah Leader: Classes Cancelled at St. Benedict
- Google News: Decorah school fire
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
