Date: Fri 27-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

high-school-roof-fire

Full Text:

High School Roof Catches Fire During Construction

(with cuts)

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Firefighters from four volunteer fire companies responded to Newtown High

School mid-day Wednesday to extinguish a roof fire.

Sandy Hook, Newtown Hook and Ladder, Botsford and Southbury firefighters went

to the scene of the high school expansion and renovation project to put out

the blaze.

About a 1,000-square-foot section of a new roof being placed on the original

high school was charred by fire.

Firefighters approaching the scene saw a broad column of smoke extending

several hundred feet straight up from the blazing roof.

Fire Marshal George Lockwood said fumes emanating from an open five-gallon can

of industrial roofing glue had spread across the roof. A workman was using a

steel saw to cut steel beams atop the school. Sparks emitted by the rapidly

rotating circular saw blade ignited the volatile glue fumes, causing the

roofing material beneath the fumes to catch fire, Mr Lockwood said.

Firefighters extended a hose up through a school stairwell to douse the blaze,

which covered an area approximately 20 feet by 50 feet.

No one was injured in the fire.

Following the fire, workmen installing the new roof removed rubberized panels

from it to check whether the fire had found its way into the high school. Work

was hampered by high temperatures atop the school.

The roof fire was the latest in a series of mishaps that have occurred during

the high school expansion and renovation project.

In May, students and staff evacuated the school after the volatile and smelly

roofing glue fumes found their way into the school. Students were sent home

about three hours early.

In April, carbon monoxide exhaust from mixing machines entered the school

posing a potentially hazardous condition to occupants.