MARCH 30, 2001 – Heavy smoke from a brush fire on Thursday forced the closure of Charles H. Emanuel Elementary School and sent at least one student to the hospital.
Emanuel Elementary principal Basil Williams said a dense pall of smoke wafted into the school from a fire 100 yards away from the campus, forcing the evacuation of students at about 11:30 a.m. Four students suffered smoke inhalation, three of whom were treated at the school.
The fourth student, who has asthma, was transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for treatment.
"Thick smoke engulfed the school," Williams said. "We sounded the alarm and the students evacuated the school in a speedy manner. It was particularly bad for asthmatics."
The school itself didn’t suffer any damage from the five-acre fire, Williams said, and is expected to resume classes on Friday.
