Elgin Academy fire sends pupils home after sprinklers cause water damage
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CHILDREN have been sent home after a fire at Elgin Academy and will learn from home tomorrow (Tuesday, May 17).
Fire services attended a small incident at the school this morning, which set off the fire alarm and sprinkler system at around 9am (May 16).
Children had to be sent home after the water supply to the school was cut to stem the water damage.
Council staff and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service could not identify the precise location of the fire, but a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson confirmed it was on the third floor.
The spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 9.07am on Monday 16 May to a fire alarm activation at Elgin Academy.
“Operations control immediately mobilised one appliance to the scene, where the crew extinguished a fire within the third floor of the building.
"There were no reported casualties.
“Firefighters worked to make the area safe before leaving the location.”
A Moray Council spokesperson said: “Following a fire evacuation this morning, pupils from Elgin Academy have been sent home and all families have been notified.
"S1 – S3 pupils will undertake remote learning, and access will be granted to the school as planned for S4 – S6 pupils due to sit examinations this afternoon.
“Support services are on site to fully restore ICT systems and power as soon as is practicable.
"The school will continue to keep families notified and we thank the staff for a safe and efficient evacuation, and the emergency services for their response.”
A letter from head teacher Kyle Scott, circulated to Elgin Academy pupils and parents, shared further information.
Mr Scott's letter said: "You will now be aware that we had a fire evacuation today resulting in us having to send all S1-3 pupils and staff home from school this morning.
"I would like to reiterate our sincere thanks to all young people and yourselves as parents for your support and apologise for the inconvenience caused to you all as a result of this morning’s disruption.
"We have now assessed the building and very sadly there has been a notable amount of damage across a number of rooms.
"We are working to both assess the extent of damage and ensure the building is safe again prior to being able to reopen to all pupils and staff.
"As a result of remedial works now required to ensure the building is safe and operational for all pupils and staff to return as soon as we can, on Tuesday 17th May, Elgin Academy will be closed to all S1-3 pupils and all staff.
"We will remain open for S4–S6 pupils undertaking SQA exams.
"For Tuesday 17th May, we will move to remote learning for all our S1–S3 pupils with learning activities shared on Microsoft TEAMs.
"I will send a further update tomorrow on our school status for Wednesday."
