Fire at Blaine Middle School draws large response

First responders were dispatched around 5:30 p.m. February 8 to a small fire at Blaine Middle School that was reportedly extinguished by a single activated sprinkler. 

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) chief Jason Van der Veen said initial reports were of a commercial fire alarm that turned into a commercial fire. Units from Whatcom County Fire District 7, Lynden Fire Department, NWFR Laurel station and Bellingham Fire Department responded. Nearby NWFR units from Blaine and Birch Bay were dealing with separate medical emergencies at the time, he said.

Van der Veen said a group of drama students and staff was in the building, away from the fire area, and safely evacuated. Firefighters brought a staff member into the building, once it was determined the fire was out, to collect the students’ belongings, he said. 

“We didn't want anyone to miss an educational opportunity,” Van der Veen said.

Blaine school district superintendent Christopher Granger said in a February 8 statement that a microwave appears to have caused the fire, but the district has yet to receive an official report. Van Der Veen said an investigation into the cause of the fire by the Fire Marshal’s Office is ongoing and that cleanup was allowed to begin.

Van der Veen said fire damage was limited to the microwave, counter and wall area in a small room adjacent to the cafeteria. Smoke and water damaged areas of the kitchen, cafeteria, adjacent classroom and nearby hallway. Light smoke spread throughout the entire school, he said.

“[The sprinkler system] worked exactly like its designed,” Van der Veen said. “It did a good job.”

Granger said after consultation with NWFR, the school district determined it was safe to continue school February 9 in areas not impacted by the fire. Class began on time and middle school students were given an adjusted schedule to follow. Grab-and-go breakfast was served outside the middle school cafeteria and lunch was to be served through the high school cafeteria, Granger said in the statement.