SIMI VALLEY : School Evacuated Over Fire on Stove
A caldron of oil left on the stove in a home economics classroom caught fire Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of about 1,050 students, authorities said.
Ventura County firefighters responded to the 11:35 a.m. call at Valley View Junior High School in Simi Valley, fire and school officials said.
By 11:49 a.m., firefighters had put out the blaze, but not before it caused $2,000 damage to the $500,000 building, and $500 damage to the classroom’s contents, county fire spokeswoman Sam Meyer said.
Valley View Principal Donald Gaudioso praised the students for behaving during the hourlong evacuation, saying they sang holiday songs after about 30 minutes on the field.
“It was a real change of pace,” Gaudioso said. “It really went very well. The kids did an excellent job.”
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