HS Steam Pipe Bursts, Students Out in Cold
Fire alarm at West Orange High School leaves students and staff in the cold for more than 20 minutes in Wednesday's 18-degree weather.
West Orange High School students and staff were forced to evacuate the building and stand out in the cold 18-degree weather Wednesday afternoon for more than 20 minutes after a steam pipe burst in the boiler room, West Orange fire officials said. According to the fire department, a steam pipe broke in boiler room at about 2:10 and filled the room with steam. The steam spilled out into the hallway and set the school's fire alarms off at 2:13 p.m. Students and staff were then forced to exit the building, located at 51 Conforti Ave., without coats, officials said. Fire Deputy Chief Paul Wannemacher said the crew worked as quickly as possible to get the students and staff back in the school possible because of weather conditions. A reverse …
Lori W.
1:45 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
I'm not sure if the high school rules are the same as the middle schools, but it's reasons like this that makes it hard for a parent to be ok with their child not being allowed to wear coats inside the school. I understand its a safety thing, but my family tends to be feeling more cold than comfortable during the winter months. I'm glad everyone was ok and that the school did the right thing by … more ›