03/29/2024
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By: Erin Smith

A boiler malfunction at East Bladen High School resulted in a brief evacuation of the building on Wednesday morning and smoke showing from the roof of the building.

“It was a boiler system issue with the fuel line clogging and the boiler kept trying to fire,” said Bladen County Schools Superintendent Robert Taylor. 

He said the smoke that was reported was caused by the boiler attempting to fire and the diesel fuel in the clogged line. Taylor said Bladen County Schools maintenance crews will spend the afternoon clearing the clogged lines and inspecting the boiler.

Students were evacuated from the building to the football field where they waited about 45 minutes as fire crews inspected the building and its roof to ensure there was no actual fire.

The Bladen County Sheriff’s Department and North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the scene and assisted with trying to keep order and maintain peace, said Sheriff Jim McVicker. Corporal Shaw and Corporal Monroe joined the Assistant Principal in ensuring everyone was out of the building, said McVicker.

Students were allowed to return to their classrooms and lunch was served though it was delayed slightly by the disruption, said Taylor.

“I think it very well,” said Bladen County emergency Management’s Chase Lancaster of the ordeal.

Responding were Lisbon Fire Department, White Lake Fire Department, Elizabethtown Fire Department, Bladen County Emergency Management, Bladen County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina Highway Patrol.

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