Updated story, May 30, 3:30 p.m.:
Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue crews successfully extinguished a fire at Fruitvale Elementary School Friday afternoon.
Students and staff were evacuated just after lunch when a teacher and a student both smelled smoke near the gymnasium.
They immediately activated the school’s fire alarm system, initiating a full evacuation.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the gymnasium and quickly launched an aggressive interior attack.
The building’s sprinkler system activated automatically, helping to slow the spread of the fire and reduce potential damage.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the gym area, preventing further impact to the rest of the school.
The fire was brought under control promptly, and crews remained on scene to conduct overhaul operations and ensure no hotspots remained.
While the gymnasium sustained smoke and fire damage, the remainder of the school was largely unaffected thanks to the rapid and coordinated response.
All students and staff exited the building safely and were accounted for prior to the arrival of the fire department.
Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue (KBRFR) says a quick response from firefighters, the decisive actions of school staff, and the effective operation of the building’s alarm and sprinkler systems contained the blaze quickly.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Original story, May 30, 1:36 p.m.:
School District 20 has confirmed Fruitvale Elementary School has been evacuated due to a fire in the gymnasium.
All staff and students are safe.
Students can be picked up at the Fruitvale Hall, located at 1968 Main Street.
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