Central York Fire Services responded to a report of smoke at a Newmarket school Wednesday, caused by an overheating compressor.
No injuries were reported at the incident at St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School on Keith Avenue on May 8 at 1:55 p.m. Faculty staff and students were being evacuated from the building when fire crews arrived.
“The first arriving crew found light smoke in the gym. A thorough investigation revealed the smoke was caused by an overheating compressor,” Central York Fire Services said in an incident report.
Fire services deployed four fire trucks to the scene, with 16 firefighters and one chief officer. It worked in collaboration with York Regional Police.
Fire services developed a plan with the school principal to bring the students inside the library, which was well away from the gym and had an exterior door. Children were able to be sheltered until loaded on their bus or collected by their parents. All students made their way home safely.
The faulty compressor was removed from the school while classes resumed normal operations.
