Decorah, Iowa, August 30, 2025
News Summary
Classes at St. Benedict School were canceled following a fire incident that prompted the evacuation of the building. The Decorah Fire Department responded promptly, containing the fire that originated in the utility room. Fortunately, no students or staff were present during the emergency, and there were no injuries reported. Damage was reported to the electrical service panel, but the situation was managed effectively, allowing classes to be expected to resume shortly. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Decorah, Iowa – St. Benedict School cancelled classes on Friday following a fire incident that resulted in the school being briefly evacuated for safety. The Decorah Fire Department responded to the emergency at approximately 6:25 a.m. after an alarm was sounded, alerting them to potential danger within the school building.
Firefighters arrived on the scene to find smoke emanating from the lower level of the school. Upon further inspection, they detected heavy smoke and intense heat concentrated in the utility room. In this area, emergency responders discovered a large electrical service panel that had sustained extensive heat damage, causing serious concerns regarding fire hazards and safety.
As the situation unfolded, elevated levels of smoke and carbon monoxide were detected throughout the building, prompting immediate action from local utilities. Alliant Energy quickly arrived to disconnect power to the school to prevent further risks while the fire department worked to contain the incident. Firefighters extinguished the flames and utilized ventilation techniques to clear the building of smoke and mitigate the hazardous carbon monoxide levels.
At the time of the fire, there were no students or staff present in the school, which minimized the potential for injuries. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported due to the incident, ensuring that all individuals associated with the school remained safe.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although officials have indicated that it is not being treated as suspicious. Following the incident, Principal Justin Johnson confirmed that the damage to the school appears to be limited, and he commended the swift response of the fire department that helped manage the situation effectively.
As of now, classes at St. Benedict School are expected to resume as normal on Tuesday, pending any additional assessments regarding the extent of the damage. The school has promised to keep parents, students, and the community informed of any updates through their Facebook page.
In summary, the fire incident at St. Benedict School on Friday morning was quickly addressed by the Decorah Fire Department, preventing any injuries and ensuring the safety of the building’s future operations. Classes are set to resume shortly once the safety evaluations are concluded.
FAQ Section
What caused the cancellation of classes at St. Benedict School?
Classes were canceled due to a fire incident that occurred on Friday morning, resulting in significant smoke and heat detected in the school’s utility room.
Were there any injuries reported during the fire incident?
No injuries were reported. There were no students or staff in the building at the time of the fire.
When are classes expected to resume at St. Benedict School?
Classes are expected to resume as normal on Tuesday, pending any assessment of the damage.
What actions were taken to address the fire?
The Decorah Fire Department extinguished the fire, ventilated the building to clear smoke, and Alliant Energy disconnected the power supply to ensure safety.
Is the cause of the fire known?
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation; however, officials do not consider it suspicious at this time.
Chart: Key Features of St. Benedict School Fire Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | Friday morning |
| Fire Department Response Time | Approx. 6:25 a.m. |
| Location of Fire | Lower level utility room |
| Damage | Limited damage to electrical panel |
| Presence of Students/Staff | None were present |
| Injuries | No injuries reported |
| Class Resumption | Expected Tuesday |
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
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