April 1, 2005 – A small fire in the principal's office at Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School Thursday afternoon led to the cancellation of classes Friday.
Parents and students were notified Friday morning that classes were canceled so that faculty and staff could clean up the school and check for other safety hazards.
Assistant Fire Director Donald Charles said Friday afternoon the V.I. Fire Service arrived on the scene at 3:28 p.m. Thursday and found paper and books burning in the principal's office.
School had been closed due to the Transfer Day holiday.
"They were able to contain the fire to one room," Charles said, adding that the firemen did a good job because the office was built of wood and sheetrock.
Charles said there was slight damage to the office walls, but nothing major. The firemen also found a 50-gallon garbage bin in the school's courtyard whose contents had burnt down before their arrival.
Charles would not say if the fire department suspects arson.
"It's still under investigation," Charles said. "We're not quite certain of the cause of the fire."
Charles said the investigation should be complete by the middle of next week.
Education officials would not comment on the fire, nor say whether the books and papers burnt were textbooks or other important documents.
Education Commissioner Noreen Michael's secretary said school would resume as normal Monday.
Sidney George, Tuitt School Principal, could not be reached for comment Friday.
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