Lee Elementary Fire Blamed On Hurricane Irma

TAMPA, FL — Hurricane Irma created a perfect storm of conditions for sparking the fire that ultimately led to the destruction of Tampa’s Lee Elementary School. That’s the conclusion of Tampa Fire Marshal John Reed following his agency’s investigation into the Sept. 12 blaze that rendered the school a loss.

“After an extensive investigation, the investigator determined that the cause of the fire was accidental due to a failure in the building’s electrical system likely caused by damage sustained during Hurricane Irma,” Tampa Fire Rescue spokesman Jason Penny explained. (For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Tampa Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Reed’s report chronicled the probable domino effect that set off the three-alarm blaze at the 305 E. Columbus Drive school. According to Reed, the fire began in the attic above room number 208. The only high heat source in that area was the building’s electrical wiring, the report said. "In the elimination process used to identify the fire's point of origin and probable cause, the fire debris was examined and other possible ignition sources at or near the area of origin was examined and eliminated," the report said. "The only competent ignition source available at the time of this origin and cause investigation was that of an electrical failure likely contributed to by building damage sustained during a hurricane. These findings are supportive of an accidental fire."

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Fire crews were called to Lee Elementary at 6:45 p.m. Sept. 12, the fire department said. Responders saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the northwest portion of the roof. Second and third alarms brought more equipment and personnel to fight the flames inside the three-story brick building. Once the roof began to show signs of collapse, the department said firefighters were pulled from inside the building.

Since the fire, Lee Elementary students have been attending classes at Lockhart and Young elementary magnet schools. A fundraiser kicked off by the Hillsborough Education Foundation had raised more than $82,000 and collected more than 46 pallets worth of supplies for the displaced school community, Hillsborough County Schools reported on its website. The foundation is still accepting donations on behalf of the school. More information can be found on the foundation’s website.

Photo via Hillsborough County Schools’ Facebook page