Swanson Middle School was briefly evacuated this morning due to a structure fire near the school.
A shed behind a house on the 1100 block of N. Lexington Street caught fire and was fully engulfed by the time firefighters arrived, shortly before 9 a.m.
The property borders the school’s grounds and firefighters expressed some concern about Swanson’s trailer classrooms being at risk, though the blaze was extinguished before it could spread beyond an adjacent fence.
Smoke from the fire triggered alarms at Swanson, prompting the evacuation, according to the following email sent to school families.
Dear Swanson Families,
Swanson has been evacuated* due to a house fire right behind the school. Smoke from the house fire set off the school’s fire alarms. The Arlington County Fire Department checked the school as a precaution. The safety and security of your student is our top priority.
At 9:15, the ACFD gave the all-clear for students to reenter the building. Students who are in the relocatables will be relocated inside as a precautionary measure, considering the proximity of the house fire to those buildings.
* What is the Evacuate Status?
Evacuate is called when there is a need to move people from one location to another. During an evacuation, students and staff are asked to move from one location to another in an orderly fashion.
FINAL: Fire is out, there is no extension to surrounding structures. Units are in the process of clearing the scene. Scene is being turned over to the Office of the Fire Marshal for investigation.
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) May 17, 2024
