Lacey Middle School Closed For The Day Due To Minor Fire

LACEY TOWNSHIP NJ - No one was injured in a small fire in a second-floor classroom at the Lacey Township Middle School early this morning, according to Lacey Township police.

The building on Denton Avenue in Forked River was unoccupied when the blaze was discovered at 6:39 a.m., which activated the fire suppression system.

The fire was located in a second floor science classroom and may have begun in a terrarium in the classroom, Lacey Capt. Patrick J. Ganley said.

The Forked River Fire Department along with the Lanoka Harbor Fire Department extinguished the remainder of the fire, which was isolated to a small portion of the classroom.

"Minimal fire and smoke damage was reported, however as a result of the sprinkler system activation, there was a significant amount of water in the classroom and the surrounding areas that needed to be cleaned," Ganley said.

No students were present at the school at the time of the fire, he said.

All of the middle school students and faculty were diverted to the Lacey Township High School where the teachers and staff were awaiting their arrival. The middle school students had an early dismissal today and will be bused or picked up by their parents or guardians from the Lacey Township High School.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department along with the Berkeley Township police and the Berkeley Township Fire Department provided assistance.

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