A fire in the ventilation system of Lake Park High School’s East Campus in Roselle forced at least 100 students and school personnel to flee the building Wednesday afternoon.
No injuries were reported, and damage was described as minor. Some student-athletes and coaches had to stand in the cold weather in shorts and T-shirts, but they soon took shelter in the district’s administration building next door.
The fire began in the science wing of the building, 600 S. Medinah Rd., after most students had left for the day.
The blaze was confined to a small area of the roof and a smaller area of the interior, fire and school officials said.
“Clearly, there is school (Thursday),” said Lake Park High School Supt. David Smith.
Two science labs will be closed temporarily, school officials said.
Science teacher Kelly Baugher smelled wires burning and sounded a fire alarm about 4 p.m., said Principal Edward Wardzala.
By 4:09 p.m., three fire engines from the Roselle Fire Department arrived. They eventually were joined by units from the Addison, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove Village and Itasca Fire Departments.
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Flames could be seen from the roof, said Roselle Fire Capt. Christopher Howell. He said a man driving on Medinah Road also called the fire department.
Wardzala said firefighters believe that the ventilation system malfunctioned. As a result, hot exhaust gases from a ceramics kiln in an art room on the first floor of the two-story building weren’t being discharged to the outside.
The hot gases may have started a fire in a ventilation duct between the second-floor ceiling above a science lab and the roof, Wardzala said.
A faulty exhaust fan was cited by firefighters as another possible ignition source.
One second-floor science lab will be closed temporarily because of a hole in the roof above it, while another lab will be closed because of a hole in the ceiling made by firefighters looking for the faulty ventilation fan, school officials said.