Faulty Equipment Sparks Fire At Elementary School In Stafford

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Faulty equipment is believed to be the cause of a fire that broke out Friday night at Oxycocus Elementary School, according to the Stafford Township Police Department.

The fire was reported by the school's alarm company and police responded at about 8:09 p.m. on March 8, police said.

Flames were seen coming from a wall-mounted heat pump, according to police. They immediately began trying to subdue the blaze with fire extinguishers, police said.

Stafford firefighters and surrounding fire departments soon arrived and were able to get the flames extinguished, police said.

There were no reported injuries.

Preliminary findings suggest that the fire's cause was a faulty wall-mounted heat pump, police said. However, authorities will continue to investigate.

According to The Sandpaper, citing an email sent to parents, the school's preschoolers and staff will be relocated to Ocean Acres Elementary School for the next week.