by Dawn Slade

A fire last night (Tuesday, Oct. 20) at Faith Christian School in Foreston caused students to stay home for the day today.

Working from her makeshift office in the school's gymnasium, which is iseparate from the main school, principal Kay Miller was at the site this morning awaiting the State Fire Marshall to arrive. 

According to Miller, the fire started around 6:30 p.m. in the south end of the school, which is an older portion of the building, where the preschool and kindergarten rooms are, as well as the therapist's office from the National Institute for Learning Development.

A volleyball game was taking place in the gymnasium and a finance commitee member was in the main part of the school when the fire alarms went off. No one was injured.

The Foreston Fire Department, with assistance from Milaca Fire Department and Foley Fire Department, was on the scene until roughly 10 p.m. last night.

It is unclear how much fire damage there is to the south end of the building, or smoke damage to the remaining sections of the building, as the fire marshall has not allowed anyone to enter the building yet.

"No one was hurt," Miller said thankfully. "We can replace anything. The alarm system did what it was supposed to do. The fire departments were here quickly and did their jobs thoroughly."

A chili and pie fund-raiser that's scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. is still being planned for, but Miller is unsure exactly where that will be at this point.

The 68 students and 14 staff members will not be returning to the school on Thursday either. Miller said they are taking things one day at a time as far as returning to class. Parents can check the school's website (there's a link at the bottom of the Times home page) for more information.

The Times will post updates as they come in. 

Update: According to Foreston Fire Chief Derrick Clark, the fire marshal has requested an electrical engineer to come in to help determine a cause. It's believed the fire started on the south wall near the main floor/basement ceiling area.

UPDATE from Faith Christian:

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 Fire Update

The fire marshal, board members and a few parents with facility type experience walked through the buildings late Wednesday afternoon.  We have decided to close school Thursday and Friday.  Next week is still undecided, but we hope to be back in full operation as soon as possible.

As with regular school policy, when school is cancelled, all extra after-school activities are cancelled.  Seniors in the Independent Life Course may choose to go to their Friday session with their sponsor.  If a senior chooses not to attend, please let your sponsor know.

Due to insurance and safety issues, no access is allowed into the facilities at this time.

The Hunter’s Chili and Pie Supper with the Silent Auction will be held at the Milaca Alliance Church at 12543 West Hwy 23 on the west side of the bridge across from Koch’s Hardware instead of at the FCS gym from 6 to 8 PM, Friday. There will be no bon-fire or open gym for grades 7 thru 12 afterwards.  Please come out and support this event.

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