Fire At New Trier's Winnetka Campus Triggers Evacuation

WINNETKA, IL — A small fire that broke out in a New Trier High School lab led to the evacuation of the Winnetka campus Thursday afternoon, school and fire officials said.

No one was injured in the incident, which took place around 2:15 p.m., according to Winnetka Fire Department Chief John Ripka.

Superintendent Paul Sally said there were no students in the lower-level Applied Arts lab room at the time of the blaze.

"The fire was quickly extinguished but generated a considerable amount of smoke that required an extended evacuation of the building," Sally said in a message to families.

Ripka told Patch the fire began with some equipment in the lab and was contained to one room.

"It was partially extinguished by New Trier staff prior to [the Winnetka Fire Department's] arrival and fully extinguished by the fire department," the chief said in an email.

Staff and students had to be kept out of the building for about an hour while the smoke was cleared out of the building, the fire chief said.

Around 3:15 p.m., fire officials notified administrators that it was safe to re-enter the building. After being permitted to retrieve their things, students were dismissed, according to Sally.

Performing arts, sports and other after-school activities are taking place, although some have had to be relocated, the superintendent said.

Sally thanked students, staff and local fire and police officials for their response to the situation.

"We hold fire drills regularly throughout the year to be prepared for incidents like these," he said, "and while no one was in danger, we acknowledge that this was a stressful situation and commend students for their mature response."