The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

Fire behind F building; shorted fuse suspected

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Students stand outside the back entrance to school due to the fire found at 6:35 a.m. on Jan. 30. Photo by Karishma Mehrotra.

At 6:35 a.m. on Jan. 30, a fire suspected to be caused by an electrical short in the lighting system in the maintenance area of campus (behind the F building) was found by head football coach and business teacher Jeff Mueller. After Mueller flagged faculties manager Josh Kiernan’s attention to the smoke, campus supervisor Ruben Delgado informed the police.

“It looks like it could’ve been an electrical short and when it sparks and the hot particle drops onto the couch or electric heater…[which] is going to accelerate any heat or fire,” deputy J. Toomey said.

It is suspected that the sparks from ceiling lights after the fuse shorted fell onto a couch in the shed. Nobody was injured.

“I honestly don’t think it’s suspicious,” arson investigator Jeremy Davis said.

School entrances were closed off before school, making many students late for first period. Students who reached class before their teachers were ordered to report to the gymnasium. Administrators advised students to park on Orange Avenue or to go home and return for second period.

A call was sent home during first period informing parents that there was excessive traffic at school but students were to return to school.

The aftermath of the fire during the start of second period. Photo by Kevin Tsukii.

Check back for further updates and more photos.

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