Blaze leaves classroom extensively damaged
A fire at Anatol Rogers High School yesterday left one classroom extensively damaged, according to authorities, who concluded that the blaze was the result of arson.
Fire Services personnel received information that the school was ablaze around 8 a.m. and responded shortly after.
According to authorities, officers discovered that someone set fire to the wood works classroom, which was badly damaged, and attempted to set fire to the tuck shop.
No other buildings were damaged, police said.
When contacted, Fire Services Director Chief Superintendent Walter Evans told Eyewitness News Online that the blaze triggered the school’s sprinkler system, which assisted in extinguishing the fire.
Asked whether the school surveillance footage was being reviewed, Evans said authorities will release additional information as it becomes available.
He said police were in the early stages of their investigation.
As of yesterday afternoon, police had no arrested anyone in connection with the incident.
The cost of repairs has yet to be determined.
Calls placed to reach education officials were not returned up to press time.
The incident comes five days after a fire at Huntley P. Christie High School in North Andros caused extensive damage to two classrooms in the mathematics block.
That incident occurred around 4 p.m. when staff where school at the school, though no one was injured.
Monique Bowleg, the district superintendent for the area, told Eyewitness News Online, that were in not for the quick action of residents, staff and teachers, the damage could have been worse.
The school was in the process of administering finals exams for its 396 students.
It closed for the summer break last Thursday. The cause of the blaze remains unclear.
