LAFAYETTE, LA (Apr. 4, 2024) – At 6:01 p.m., Lafayette firefighters responded to a fire alarm activation at Willow Charter Academy School, 1818 North East Evangeline Thruway. The alarm monitoring company contacted fire dispatchers to report the alarm activation at the school. When firefighters arrived, light smoke was coming from the roof. First responders accessed the school and discovered a light haze in the hallways. After searching the school, water was observed in the gymnasium from a storage room. Sprinkler heads in the room activated in response to the heat from a small fire. Fire crews entered the storage room and extinguished the smoldering fire. The room sustained moderate fire and water damage. The water from the two sprinkler heads flowed throughout the gym, adjoining classrooms, and the hallway. The damage was isolated to one section of the school.
The school was not occupied at the time of the incident. The students are out for Easter break. Employees left approximately two hours prior. Administrators and employees were assessing the damage. Work has begun to clean up damaged areas.
Fire officials determined that an electrical malfunction occurred in the storage room. The fire was ruled an accident.
