BOARDMAN, Ore.-Boardman Fire Rescue District (BFRD) responded to a dumpster fire with chemicals at Riverside High School on the evening of August 28.
BFRD arrived at the school at 5:28 p.m. and found a 40-yard dumpster with waste from the replacement of Riverside’s gym floor burning.
The concession stand, wrestling barn and gym were threatened by the fire, according to BFRD, and firefighters implemented fire attack and structure protection measures.
The fire was controlled by 6:20 p.m., according to BFRD Battalion Chief Sam Irons, but extensive mop-up was necessary due to how insulation and wood from the renovation project were stacked in the dumpster.
Student-athletes were on campus at the time of the fire but were evacuated safely along with coaches and staff members. No injuries were reported in the fire that is being ruled accidental, and BFRD cleared the scene at 8:03 p.m.
“The probable cause was spontaneous combustion from improper disposal procedures of floor sealant used for replacement of the gym floor,” said Battalion Chief Irons.
Riverside’s main campus and wrestling barn were not impacted by the fire, and Morrow County School District students are not on campus on Fridays.
