Rooms damaged at Chambersburg High School

January 14, 2005|by DON AINES

CHAMBERSBURG, PA. - A science room, two computer labs and the library of Chambersburg Area Senior High School were damaged Wednesday afternoon when an emergency shower in the third floor science room was left on, according to Chambersburg police.

"We're not exactly sure right now," Principal Barry Purvis said of the extent of the damage. He said school personnel were examining equipment to see what can be salvaged, and an insurance adjuster will be called in to put a dollar value on the damage.

Police were questioning a 15-year-old student in connection with the vandalism, but no charges had been filed against the boy as of Wednesday, Purvis said.

Purvis said the shower, used to wash harmful chemical spills from the eyes and skin of students and instructors, was left on sometime between about 4 and 6:30 p.m. A drain below the shower was either plugged or not working properly, he said.

Custodial staff discovered the shower had been left on at about 6:30 p.m., but by then water had leaked down to the second and first floors, according to Purvis. Several computers in the computer labs, an undetermined number of books in the library and ceiling tiles were among the items damaged by water, he said.

The staff worked on cleaning up the mess for several hours before police were called in late Wednesday night, Purvis said.

Because of after-school activities such as athletic, band and chorus practices, Purvis said much of the school was accessible even though classes were over for the day.

Purvis said the rooms will remain closed until the damage estimates are made and "everything is back in order."

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