Crime & Safety
Thunder Hill Elementary Fire Contained to Recycling Bin: School Officials
Smoke prompted an evacuation Wednesday at the elementary school in Columbia, where Thursday's schedule was also affected.
COLUMBIA, MD — Thunder Hill Elementary School was evacuated Wednesday afternoon after smoke was reported in the building, school officials said, resulting in modification of afternoon and overnight activities.
"The fire was contained to the interior of a hallway recycle bin, and there was no damage to student belongings," school officials said in a statement after 4 p.m.
Because of the fire, officials said that school would open at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27. (Normally, school starts at 9:25 a.m.) The first grade field trip will take place Thursday as scheduled.
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As a result of the blaze, students evacuated to the playground, where everyone was accounted for, school officials reported. Columbia Association after-care was held in a portable classroom on Wednesday.
Since school was dismissed from the playground, officials advised that students were not expected to have completed homework for Thursday.
Find out what's happening in Columbiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Staff will be available to speak with anyone Thursday who may need support in the aftermath of the fire.
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