Middle School Student Burned During Cooking Class In Middlesex Co.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — A middle school student and teacher were burned in a fire during a cooking class in Monroe Township, police said.

The incident took place on Wednesday at Monroe Middle School, when the student came in contact with an open flame during a cooking class, causing her clothes to ignite, police said.

As the teacher in charge of the class attempted to smother the flames, another student used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze, police said.

As a result of the fire, the student suffered burns, and was taken to a burn center via helicopter, according to Monroe Township EMS. The teacher suffered minor burns and was taken to a local hospital via ambulance.

The students in the class who were exposed to the fire extinguisher were evaluated by both school staff and Monroe Township EMS and released.

The school was temporarily evacuated due to the incident, but students soon returned to the building to resume normal activities.

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