Crime & Safety
Transformer Fire Causes Outages At Schools, Recreation Center
Dominion Energy responded to a transformer fire, which caused schedule changes for Alexandria high school campuses and the rec center.
ALEXANDRIA, VA — A transformer fire has resulted in closures of the Alexandria City High School King Street and Minnie Howard campuses and road closures Friday.
Executive Principal Alexander Duncan told families that a power outage caused by a transformer fire prompted the closure. Restoration of power isn't expected until later Friday. As a result, the campuses closed for in-person learning and will instead have synchronous (teacher-led) virtual learning.
Staff will have a virtual work day, dependent on their locations and assignments. Essential personnel were asked to report if safe to do so, including building engineers, custodians, maintenance shop employees and security staff. Those employees were asked to consult with their supervisor.
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The transformer fire also closed King Street between Quincy Street and Kenwood Avenue near Alexandria City High School and Chinquapin Park Recreation Center. The city encouraged an alternative route on West Braddock Road, Duke Street, Quaker Lane, and Glebe Road.
Alexandria Police and Dominion Energy are on the scene of the transformer fire. Chinquapin Park Recreation Center has a power outage and will have a delayed opening. With Dominion Energy expecting restoration around noon, the recreation center is targeted to reopen at 1 p.m. Friday. The Chinquapin Pool will be closed for the rest of the day and will reopen at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The virtual learning day for high school students will include live virtual instruction by teachers on Zoom as well as independent work and virtual office hours. Attendance will be taken through Clever and Canvas. No new content will be taught or assigned on virtual learning days. Duncan said students should have their computer or learning device with them.
Lunch will be distributed to the King Street and Minnie Howard campus students at no charge.
The locations and times are:
Alexandria City High School - Minnie Howard Campus
3775 West Braddock Road, Door #32
Alexandria, VA 22302
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
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