Montclair Police Still Investigating High School Bathroom Fire

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair authorities continue to investigate a fire that took place in a bathroom at the high school last week, sending a school resource office and two employees to the hospital.

The Montclair Police Department released an update about the fire on Monday:

“On Friday, Nov. 12 at 2:17 p.m., Montclair police as well as Montclair Fire Department and Montclair EMS units, responded to 100 Chestnut Street, Montclair High School, on a report of a fire on the second floor of the school. A student alerted school staff of the incident. All students and staff were able to promptly evacuate the school safely. The school principal as well as a Montclair police officer assigned as the school resource officer were able locate and extinguish the fire which was confined to a second-floor boy’s bathroom near the science wing. Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire began near a soap dispenser. Minimal damage was confined to this area.”

Police continued:

“The school resource officer as well as two school employees were transported to Mountainside Hospital by Montclair EMS for smoke inhalation and released. All students were dismissed at normal dismissal time. The incident remains under investigation by the Montclair Police Department and Montclair Fire Department. Anyone with information can contact Detective Shawn DePoe at (973) 509-4732.”

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