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School Evacuated Due to Small Fire, Smoke

Apr 10, 2018 | 11:41 AM

Students and staff were evacuated at Okanagan Landing Elementary School ion Vernon this morning after a minor fire.

A kiln in the art department got turned on for unknown reasons just before 8:30 am, igniting some paper and other combustibles in the room.

Deputy fire chief Scott Hemstad says everyone was evacuated safely.

“Nobody was treated or complained of smoke inhalation. The staff, with our assistance, removed any of the burning materials to outside the school and extinguished them,” Hemstad tells CJIB News.

Hemstad says fans were used to get rid of smoke in the building and everyone was allowed back in.

“It took a little bit of time for us to evacuate the smoke with our fans, because in the gymnasium, it’s a tall ceiling and a big space.”

(Photo courtesy of SD 22)