Pennsylvania

Early Dismissal for Students as Fire Breaks Out at North Penn High School

A fire caused students to be dismissed early from a massive Montgomery County high school Tuesday and left some wishing they had their keys.

Flames broke out at North Penn High School on Valley Forge Road around 11:45 a.m., said Montgomery County dispatchers. Preliminary information had the fire burning in a maintenance room.

Images shot by students showed people calmly leaving the building and waiting outside on some fields as firefighters entered the school. [[380670271, C]]

No word yet on what caused the fire. No injuries were reported.

The North Penn School District announced early Tuesday afternoon that students would "eventually be dismissed." The district released dismissal guidelines on its Facebook page around 12:45 p.m. as they began sending students home: [[380671631, C]]

"Buses will transport students home for those who need rides. Parents who have made arrangements to pick up their students can get them from Calvary Baptist parking lot, on the left side, closest to Rite Aid. Students drivers who have their keys will be able to drive home"

The problem for some students was not having their keys with them when they were evacuated.

"No students will be allowed back into the school to retrieve keys or other belongings," wrote the district.

The fire was under control in under an hour, said school officials. Officials later announced school would open on time Wednesday. They also told students to report to their 6th period F Day classes at 7:21 a.m. to be reunited with their belongings.

North Penn is known as one of the largest high schools in the area with more than 3,000 students in grades 10 to 12, said U.S. News & World Report.

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