Principal vows to find the coward responsible for act
A fire set in the boy’s bathroom in a building at Hahnville High School forced the administration to evacuate more than 1,200 students. The fire started in what students and faculty refer to as the ‘purple building.’
Lorel Gonzales, principal at the school, asked anyone with information to come forward. In an announcement over the intercom shortly after the blaze was brought under control, Gonzales said that “the coward who risked everyone’s life today will be caught,” and asked teachers to list the names of any individual who left class for any reason during the first morning period. That’s when the fire occurred.
“Someone set a roll of toilet paper on fire and the plastic casing around the toilet paper holder began to melt and catch part of the stall’s wall,” Fire Chief Oliver Dufrene, of Paradis, said. “When we arrived, there was a lot of smoke, but the fire was out and we did our checks to make sure the building was safe.”
Dufrene said the fire was set deliberately.
“What kids need to realize is the fire department takes things like this very seriously,” he said. “It’s arson and that’s a crime.”
Dufrene says that even if someone would have fallen and tripped during the evacuation, that would have been the fault of the person who started the fire.
“Even if it was meant to be a prank, I don’t think the person realizes the seriousness of what was done. Suppose lives were lost? Luckily that was the case and the fire was contained.”
John Rome, supervisor of physical plant transportation and safety services, says he was already at the school at the time working on a separate project when the fire started.
“I’m in charge of safety procedures for St. Charles Parish and I happened to be at Hahnville High working on a separate project when the fire started,” he said.
Rome says the building where the fire started had 546 students in it, and there was a lot of smoke, but the school’s resource officer was the first to respond and douse the flames.
“No one was sent home and no one was hurt,” he said. “James Herbert grabbed a fire extinguisher and put the fire out before the fire department arrived.”
Rome says the amount of damage to the stall is still being determined.
“We had to hire a janitorial service to help clear the smoke out overnight,” he said. “Not sure if we’ll have to repaint the stall or purchase a brand new one so that could make the cost vary.”
Rome says by 9:30 a.m. all students were moving back into the classrooms, except those that were taking class in the building where the fire started.
“The only ones that were not allowed to go back to the classrooms were the 546 students,” he said. “They were sent to the auditorium or gym once the all clear was given by the fire department. At about 10:30 a.m., all the students were moved back into the ‘purple building’.”
Rome says about six classrooms were kept vacant and had to be aired out because of smoke, and those were right near the bathroom, where the fire started.
The school’s investigation is ongoing.
“So far we have taken statements from students and teachers in the building, but right now no one has come forward,” Gonzales said. “Students and faculty members were very concerned, but everyone remained calm and supportive throughout the day towards the administration and we’re thankful for the assistance of the Des Allemands and Paradis departments and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office for responding to the call.”
Rome says that the school will take appropriate actions based on recommendations in the St. Charles Parish School student disciplinary handbook.
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