News Summary
Classes at St. Benedict School in Decorah have been canceled following a fire incident that occurred early in the morning. The Decorah Fire Department responded quickly and discovered heavy smoke in the building, particularly from the utility room where significant damage was identified. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as no students or staff were present during the fire. Investigations are underway to determine the cause, though foul play is not suspected. Classes are expected to resume on Tuesday following safety assessments.
St. Benedict School in Decorah Cancels Classes Due to Fire Incident
Decorah, Iowa – St. Benedict School canceled classes on Friday morning following a fire incident at the school. The school district announced the closure to ensure the safety of students and staff while investigating the cause of the fire.
Fire Response and Initial Discovery
The Decorah Fire Department responded to the school at approximately 6:25 a.m. after receiving an alarm call. Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke emanating from the building. Upon inspection, they identified heavy smoke and heat concentrated in the utility room located on the lower level of the school.
Extent of Damage and Safety Measures
During their assessment, firefighters discovered a large electrical service panel that had sustained extensive heat damage. The presence of elevated smoke and carbon monoxide levels throughout the building prompted response teams to take additional safety measures. Alliant Energy arrived at the scene to disconnect power to the school, preventing further electrical hazards.
Firefighting Efforts and Smoke Clearance
The fire department successfully extinguished the fire and employed ventilation techniques to clear smoke and reduce carbon monoxide levels within the building. These steps ensured the environment was safe enough to allow for the investigation and for students and staff to return once it is deemed safe.
Safety of Students and Staff
Fortunately, no students or staff were inside the building at the time of the fire. Additionally, there have been no injuries reported in connection with the incident. The quick response from emergency crews and safety protocols contributed to the absence of harm.
Investigation and Future Operations
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Authorities have indicated that they do not suspect foul play or any suspicious activity related to the incident. Principal Justin Johnson confirmed that the damage to the school is limited and expressed confidence that the response was prompt and effective.
Based on the preliminary assessment, classes are expected to resume as normal on Tuesday. The school community will receive updates via its official Facebook page.
Background and Context
St. Benedict School has been serving the Decorah community for several years, providing education to local students. The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and rapid response in maintaining the safety of school environments. No closure or disruption beyond this week is anticipated, pending the ongoing assessment of the facility’s safety and structural integrity.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- KCRG: Eastern Iowa Catholic School Cancels Class Following Fire
- Wikipedia: Fire Safety
- CBS2 Iowa: Classes Canceled at St. Benedict School
- Google Search: St. Benedict School fire incident
- KWWL: Classes Canceled at Decorah Catholic School Due to Smoke
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire
- Decorah Leader: Classes Cancelled at St. Benedict
- Google News: Decorah school fire
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
