Buckman Heights Elementary School Fire Report

Presented by:

Mr. Donald Mellema

Facilities Manager

Greece Central School District

On May 2, 2001, at approximately 11:15 p.m., two men threw a Molotov cocktail through a window into the main office at the Buckman Heights Elementary School.

The device started a fire and the Greece Ridge Fire Department responded to the scene.

The fire was brought under control and isolated to the main office and main entrance, however, extensive smoke damage occurred up and down the corridors.

The fire damage estimate was said to be over one million dollars

Roof and soffit damage at the office area.

Roof and soffit damage at the office area.

Transite soffit damaged just outside of the main office.

Soffit

Rubber membrane of the roof area above the main office. Tectum decking helped prevent fire spread to other areas of the building. Fire never penetrated the roof deck.

Debris from the office area. Remains of the P.A. system in the pile.

Annunciator panel located on the north wall of the main office.

(Simplex Fire Alarm Panel)

South wall of the main office.

Heat and fire damage to the support beam and tectum at the interior

side of the front main office.

3/4” Deflection

Boarded area where the exterior office walls and windows were destroyed by fire.

Foyer area outside of main office. Water and smoke damage to plaster ceiling.

Additional water damage to the main office foyer plaster ceiling.

Remains of convection heat and fan coil unit for the main office area.

Main office files and “safe storage” cabinet.

Cash box that was located inside the main office “safe storage” cabinet.

Fire rated door to the principals office. Closed during the fire.

Office area looking into the principal’s office. Fire rated door limited damage to that area.

Fire Rated Door

Principal’s office showing limited damage as a result of the fire rated door.

Art display inside principal’s office. Crayons were not melted due to the fire rated door being closed to that area.

Office supply storage door. Fire rated door left open the night of the fire.

Office supply storage room adjacent to the main office.

Kodak copier and data network room. Copier and all wiring is not salvageable.

Main office foyer area. Note almost perfect line left by smoke. Reinforces the theory of needing to stay low and crawl in the event of a fire.

Main office foyer area, cabinet showing smoke line.

This clock is not “art deco”. The time of the fire is permanently recorded at 11:32 p.m.

Faculty dining area next to the main office.

Classroom B1 showing smoke line on the door and in the corridor.

Psychologist Office room A5. Table and carpet

showing smoke and soot damage.

Psychologist office room A5 adjacent to the main foyer. Note the

PEZ dispenser collection.

Room A5 showing smoke and water damage. Soot was on all horizontal and vertical surfaces.

Classroom floor showing smoke damage. All classrooms were typical of this even with closed doors and 150’ - 200’ away from the fire.

Classroom B12 that was near the main office. Note the smoke and water damage. The door to the room was closed during the fire and

was opened only when the area was ventilated by the fire department.

Drinking fountain and corridor floors near the main office.

Light fixture in the corridor. Most lens covers were melted in all directions 75’ from the fire.

Corridor walls in A wing, 150’ away from the fire.

Entrance and vestibule area at Door 15. Note smoke damage 100’ away from fire.

Bench

Corridor walls and artwork approximately 150’ away from the main fire.

Corridor floors and art work 150’ away from the main fire.