A fire that ignited 29 July, late at night, at the administrative offices of Winnetka School District 36 was traced back to a faulty light, officials confirmed.
Superintendent Kelly Tess stated that the fire, which broke out in the front area of the offices, was contained by firefighters. However, the building sustained considerable smoke and water damage to the windows, doors, drywall, and ceiling tiles, rendering it uninhabitable for now.
Investigations revealed that the blaze originated from an undermount LED cabinet light installed during the office’s renovation in 2008.
As a precautionary measure, all similar lights have been removed from the office to prevent any future incidents.
Quick Response and Repairs Underway
Construction crews from Bulley & Andrews, who are currently engaged in the second phase of capital improvements at nearby Washburne School, have been swiftly redirected to assist with repairs at the district offices. These improvements are part of the $59.4 million bond referendum approved by voters in November 2022.
“Fortunately, Bulley & Andrews can provide us with additional staff to begin repair and remediation work in the District Office,” Tess said. “We are grateful for their quick response and valued partnership. At this time, we do not yet have an estimate on how long this work will take as ceiling tile and carpet replacement will be necessary as well.”
Remote Work for District Staff
In the meantime, district staff will be working remotely, with office phone lines forwarded to ensure accessibility during business hours.
“We look forward to a return to business as usual as soon as possible,” Tess said.
Click here to read the full story from Patch.