The "My Alma Mater Suffers A Catastrophe!"

It was an ordinary day.  Reading in the local newspaper about what is perhaps the final part of a story that will tell about the fire that struck the high school from where I gradated 52 years ago and then returned to teach in the Industrial Arts Department for another 35 years.  It was this past Monday that a fire broke out in the wood shop's sawdust collection system.  It all happened when the blade of the wood shop's table saw, that was been used by a school employee, struck a screw that was buried in the piece of wood that was being cut, and sparks flew into a dustbin in the table saw's exhaust system, sparking a fire in the outdoor unit.  A freak accident that could happen to anyone at anytime.  During all the years that I taught in the Industrial Arts Department, I only remember two accidents; a high school boy who lost part of a finger while using the table saw and a shop teacher who got his hand caught in a printing press while demonstrating the proper use of the press and now has to use a pointer finger on his right hand that points in the wrong direction....and boy did that hurt when it happened!  Well, the employee in the school called 911 and the building was immediately evacuated.  There were no injuries and the cause was ruled accidental.  At first, the school was to be closed for two days, but as of today...it was determined to keep the building closed until next week.  Virtual instruction will be used in all classes that don't require in-class instruction such as Industrial Arts.  Five adults, which included the staff member in the woodshop classroom, and a small number of students were in the building at the time of the fire, but evacuated when the school's alarm system was activated.  Damage seems to be isolated mainly to the dust collection system, which is located outside the building, but the cost of the damage will be unkown until the school district is able to get the equipment assessed and back in working condition.  Students should be able to enter the wood-shop classroom when they return, but won't be able to operate any equipment as the dust collection is inoperable.  The fire was extinguished in 10 minutes, with the only problem being having to clear the smoke from the school.  At first, they had planned to reopen by Thursday, but changed their mind due to the smoke, and will reopen next Monday.  Outdoor activities are allowed, but indoor activities will not be allowed until next Monday.  That is the first time since I began school in the Manheim Township School District back in 1950 when I entered 1st grade, that I can remember their being a need to close any school building due to a fire in any of the school buildings.  Quite a record for a large school district.  Hopefully there won't be too strong a smoke odor in the high school when school opens again next week.   One thing that the school district did get was plenty of newspaper coverage.  Not the kind of coverage that you would hope for...but at least some coverage.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.