CHS EVACUATED FOR OVEN SMOKE, NO INJURIES

This update to an alert first reported on Maplewoodian.com earlier today was issued by the school district this evening:

There was an emergency evacuation of Columbia High School today at approximately 12:30 p.m.  The evacuation was due to a fire and ensuing smoke conditions created in the oven of a classroom which houses a program on food preparation.  No one was injured in the fire, and the fire did not spread beyond the oven.  Administrators contacted the fire department and evacuated the building.  The fire department responded promptly and safeguarded the situation, including venting smoke from the room.  The building was cleared by the fire department at approximately 12:56 and all students, faculty and staff returned to the building. The schedule for the rest of the day was adjusted accordingly.