PORT ANGELES – The Port Angeles Fire Department is crediting the staff of the Madrona Academy, a pre-school on W. 8th Street, for flawlessly executing an emergency plan when a fire broke out in their building Friday morning.
The call came in around 8:30am. When firefighters arrived, they saw smoke coming from the basement of the two-story building. They first checked with school staff to ensure they had all children and staff accounted for (which they did), while crews deployed a handline into the basement. They found the fire was contained to a small bathroom and put it out quickly.
PAFD officials say all the teachers and 18 children made it out safely thanks to early detection from smoke detectors, a fire alarm system, and a staff that had an emergency plan that was executed perfectly.
Local police closed off the street and provided a safe zone for crews and the staff and their students.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
(Photo: Madrona Academy)