Fire Scorches Gym Floor at Buena High

Construction work at Buena High School was temporarily halted Thursday morning when a fire broke out in the school’s gymnasium.

No one was seriously injured in what began as a two-alarm fire in Ventura, though two construction workers were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. Fire officials said no students were present. The blaze, which began about 11:20 a.m., caused an estimated $25,000 in damage to the gymnasium’s wooden floor.

Authorities believe the fire started when hot metal debris from a welding torch ignited combustible construction materials being stored in the gym.

One of the construction workers who was treated for smoke inhalation had attempted to extinguish the fire himself, officials said.

Firefighters arriving at the scene saw smoke coming from the gymnasium’s vents and doors, according to fire officials. Because the gym is a large structure, firefighters upgraded the fire response to two alarms. Five fire engines, one fire truck and four support vehicles were dispatched to the scene.

Once inside, fire crews discovered the blaze was concentrated in a small area. They were able to contain the fire in less than 15 minutes, and the second alarm was canceled, said Deputy Fire Marshal Brian Clark, with the Ventura Fire Department.

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters began ventilating the gym to clear out the smoke.

District Assistant Supt. Joe Richards said construction crews resumed work later in the afternoon. Workers were placing a new roof on the gym and removing solar panels from the existing roof Thursday, he said. The work was part of a $9-million renovation and modernization of the school.

Richards said the total extent of the damage was not yet known, but that the contractor had assumed responsibility for the fire and would pay for any cleanup and repairs. “We’re going to do our best to keep the project on schedule,” Richards said.