Board says no injuries after WEC fire; staff plan relocation of programs

The Warwick County School Board reported that a fire occurred at the WEC facility on Saturday and that no one was in the building at the time. Board presenters said emergency responders brought the situation under control and there were no injuries.

Board member Doctor Redmond told the board that firefighters and emergency teams ‘‘mobilized very quickly’’ and that the district is grateful for the response. He said district staff finalized a relocation plan that afternoon for programs, students and itinerant staff who had office space at WEC and that the district would notify affected staff, parents and students the following day.

Doctor Redmond said the district’s plan aims to avoid a disruption in services. ‘‘Other than the new location, we will not have a disruption in the services provided to the high school students in their alternative programming and our PK students as well,’’ he said.

Board members thanked community groups that have offered support and noted volunteers have already set up Amazon wish lists and other donations for staff and students. The board did not take a formal vote at the meeting; staff described the action as implementation of an operational relocation plan and notification timeline.

The district said it would notify staff and families about new locations and logistics the next day and that district leaders were continuing to coordinate with community partners and first responders on recovery and next steps.

Board members encouraged families with questions to contact central office or building principals for assistance and offered to coordinate any community support that may be needed.