BMS catches fire

School still plans to hold its classes today

By Nick Malawskey, Sentinel reporter, nmalawskey@lewistownsentinel.com
BELLEVILLE – Belleville Mennonite Elementary School was damaged Wednesday when a fire erupted in one of the facility’s elementary school classrooms.

When firefighters responded to the scene, heavy smoke was billowing from the sides and roof of the school, located on Front Mountain Road in Belleville.

Belleville Fire Chief Doug Stuck said initial crews were able to quickly stop the fire from spreading to other rooms, although the fire did extend into a crawl space between two roofs.

“They made a good stop ... a real good stop, or we would probably still be over there,” Stuck said late Wednesday evening.

The fire was reported at about 5:30 p.m. and crews were on the scene until about 10:30 p.m.

Stuck said the cause of the fire was undetermined.

“The fire was contained to one room and extended into the adjacent classroom,” Stuck said. “I would say two rooms and contents ... and I would say moderate to heavy damage.”

Belleville Mennonite School Principal Kevin Dellape said he believed a fifth-grade classroom was damaged “pretty badly.” Dellape said via telephone that he was at the scene but had not yet been able to enter the school to assess the damages.

However, both Dellape and Ann Kanagy, Belleville Mennonite High School superintendent, said the school will hold classes today.

“We are having school (Thursday) for all students, including the afternoon pre-k class,” Kanagy said. “I do want parents to know all elementary students will be in individual classrooms in the middle and high school building.”

Kanagy said the students will be met at the school by their teachers in the morning, who will direct pupils to their assigned rooms.

Additionally, the kindergarten graduation scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday evening will go forward as planned, Kanagy said, as will a parent meeting scheduled for 6:15 p.m.

A note was posted on the school’s Web site, alerting parents to the changes in classes today.

“As a school community, we can experience God’s presence even in the most severe trials of life,” the note read.

Responding to the fire were the Belleville Fire Co., Burnham Fire Co., Yeagertown Fire Co., Reedsville Fire Co., United Fire and Rescue, Fame EMS, Brooklyn Hose Co., West Granville Fire Co., McVeytown Fire Co., Big Valley EMS, Allensville Fire Co. and the Mifflin County Fire Police.