Officials: Fire was started by appliance

By:

Posted: 9/8/08

An electrical appliance near paper and plastic products caused the fire inside a concession stand at Charleston High School Thursday night.

Charleston Fire Chief Kris Phipps said an appliance either overheated or malfunctioned.

The school district's insurance company is testing two of the appliances to check for possible malfunctions, he said.

Firefighters were dispatched to the high school around 7 p.m. Thursday night.

The concession stand was located across the hall from the Baker Gymnasium on the north side of the building.

Firefighters extinguished the fire immediately, but classes were canceled for all Charleston district schools because of the cleanup at the high school, Superintendent Jim Littleford said on Thursday night.

Phipps estimated the damage was between $20,000 and $25,000.

Firefighters remained on the scene until midnight, he said.

Cleanup crews reported to the high school at 7 p.m. Friday and were even seen at the high school on Saturday.

Diane Hutchins, principal at Charleston High School, said classes at all Charleston district schools were in session today.

Matt Hopf can be reached at 581-7942 or at mthopf@eiu.edu.