Video: Fire destroys Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences building
BY AMANDA BLAND World Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
9/05/12 at 4:07 PM
Tulsa firefighters continue to put out hot spots Wednesday afternoon at the former Barnard Elementary school building near 17th Street and Lewis Avenue.
The Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences leased the Barnard building this year to move its charter school there.
Firefighters contained the blaze around 10 a.m. The north wing’s roof was near collapse and sagging. Nearly half of the roof covering the school’s west end was consumed in the blaze.
Tulsa Fire Department reported that eight firefighters have been sent to area hospitals. None of the injuries was considered life-threatening.
The fire was reported around 5 a.m., and flames quickly engulfed the building.
Crews were forced to pull out of the school after explosions inside the building early Wednesday.
"They were sizable enough (firefighters) were worried about the structure" and personnel, said Stan May, the Tulsa Fire Department's public information officer.
He said several explosions reportedly occurred in an area where a chemistry class was located.
Medics treated and transported eight firefighters to Hillcrest Medical Center for varying burn-related injuries to the hands, sides of their faces and lower legs. The injuries stemmed from the explosions, May said.
Two firefighters, who suffered third-degree burns, are expected to remain at a hospital overnight.
Ten crews responded to the scene with 60 firefighters.
The cause for the fire has not been determined. A fire investigator is on the scene.
In addition, the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has activated its National Response Team to assist the Tulsa Fire Marshal's Office in the investigation.
The National Response Team is composed of a team of fire and explosives experts from across the country who specialize in large scale fire scene investigations. The team responds when requested by a state or municipal department when additional resources are needed.
The team is composed of certified fire investigators, fire protection and electrical engineers, chemists and other investigative resources. The team provides resources and expertise that most departments do not have available to them and responds at no cost to the city making the request.
Tulsa's fire marshal feels it is very important to know what caused a fire that sent eight firefighters to the hospital and what actions or precautions could have prevented those explosions, May said in a press release Wednesday afternoon. It is hoped that the lessons learned from this investigation will improve fire responses to this type of fire, not only here, but across the nation, he said.
The Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences will relocate to the former Sequoyah Elementary facility at 3441 E. Archer St. starting Thursday.
"This is a sad day for the Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences community; the
fire at 2324 E. 17th Street has been devastating," School Director Eric Doss said in a statement.
"There are a lot of questions and an overwhelming outpouring of support from
the Tulsa Community. We'll have more information about how people can help
as soon as possible on our website at tsas.org."
Arts and Sciences is a charter high school of about 300 students sponsored by TPS. During its first 10 years of operation, it was housed in leased space in an office park near 51st Street and Yale Avenue.
Earlier this summer, the school leased the Barnard facility and completed some interior renovations in time for classes to begin in August.
The building was not used by TPS during the 2011-12 school year after Barnard Elementary School was closed as part of Project Schoolhouse, an efficiency initiative by Tulsa Public Schools.
Arts and Sciences administrators, teachers and students met Wednesday at All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria Ave., for a "reorientation meeting," said English teacher Daniel Hahn.
Doss said there was still a small construction project under way inside the facility, but workers had left building Tuesday evening and were not on site at the time the fire began.
Students and families gathered outside the school Wednesday morning.
Principal Liesa Smith asked her students to be brave and creative in facing the task of rebuilding. She said she wants them to feel that they can have a part in the effort and encourages them to “hold on to hope.”
“It was like a new start,” said senior Kaze Mauser, who watched with friends as fire crews doused the building.
Tulsa Superintendent Keith Ballard said the district is greatly saddened by the fire and its devastating impact on Arts and Sciences.
“They are a charter school partner with Tulsa Public Schools, and we are committed to helping them recover from the tragic loss of this facility,” Ballard said in a statement.
Ballard extended the district’s thoughts and prayers to the injured and their families.
World Staff Writer Andrea Eger contributed to this story.
Associated Images:
Crews were forced to pull out of the school after explosions inside the building. CHRISTOPHER SMITH/ Tulsa World
Tulsa firefighters battle a blaze at the former Barnard Elementary near 17th Street and Lewis Avenue. AMANDA BLAND / Tulsa World
Tulsa firefighters battle a blaze at the former Barnard Elementary near 17th Street and Lewis Avenue. AMANDA BLAND / Tulsa World
Tulsa firefighters battle a blaze at the former Barnard Elementary near 17th Street and Lewis Avenue. AMANDA BLAND / Tulsa World
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