Students, staff evacuated from Oakland Park School after roof partially collapses

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. Students and staff were evacuated from the James S. Rickards Middle School on Friday morning after the roof partially collapsed in the media center, which is under construction and had no one inside.

The incident took place around 10:00

Oakland Park spokeswoman Shannon Vezina confirmed there was a water leak at the school at 6000 NE Ninth Ave, which led to the partial collapse of the roof, leaving major damage.

A total of 184 students and 55 staff members were on campus when the incident occurred. They were evacuated to Northeast High School, where parents could pick up their children.

Broward County Public Schools confirmed that no one was in the media center when the incident occurred. However, local 10 News reporter Hatzel Vela was later told that 13 students and staff members had been dropped off on campus by first responders, five of whom were taken to hospitals.

The injuries are apparently minor and are not directly related to the roof collapse, but rather to symptoms such as headaches and nausea.

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According to authorities, the principal heard two loud bangs before discovering that the roof had partially collapsed.

“Before 10 a.m. this morning, the principal was in his office when he heard a noise, followed by a subsequent noise,” said Keyla Concepcion of Broward County Public Schools.

The media center has been under construction since the middle of last year as part of an ongoing project.

Firefighters searched the building to make sure no one was trapped.

“We also brought in a dog to search the whole school to make sure no one was there, and also a drone to see if there was anyone in the roof who was injured during the crash,” Chief said. Steve Krivjanik said. of the Oakland Park Fire Department.

Local 10 News spoke to parents who rushed their children.

“I panicked,” said one. “I literally just climbed out of the shower and put on clothes and came straight here.”