A small fire at Bloomingdale High School caused some smoke and water damage on Christmas morning.
While many were opening presents on Christmas morning, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews were responding to a fire at Bloomingdale High School, located at 1700 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico.
According to school officials, a small fire that may have been caused by ongoing construction work in the Bloomingdale High School media center set off the sprinkler system, causing some smoke and water damage.
“The fire appears to have been an electrical fire that likely occurred sometime after 9 a.m.,” said school district spokesman Stephen Hegarty.
Fire rescue and school officials immediately responded, but as it was reported earlier, according to Hegarty, it is unclear how extensive the damage is and how expensive the repairs will be although.
Initial estimates show the cost of damaged books, carpeting and flooring and some equipment in the audio and visual room, such as the projectors, cameras and other equipment at $100,000.
School officials will to try to complete the clean up and necessary repairs before school resumes on Monday, January 2.
Even if the media center is not completely restored by that time, it would cause little disruption because the damage did not affect any classrooms, school officials said.
For more information, please visit Hillsborough County Public Schools at www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.
