Local fire investigators are awaiting the arrival Thursday of a response team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms following a school fire Wednesday morning during which explosions injured several firefighters.
The former Barnard Elementary School building at 17th Street and Lewis Avenue was consumed by the hours-long blaze that began shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday.
Tulsa Public Schools agreed to lease the building to the Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences in April. Student and parent volunteers spent the summer refurbishing the vacant facility, and the charter high school began classes there last month.
Tulsa firefighters worked five hours to contain the flames, but school was a total loss, officials said.
Eight firefighters suffered burn injuries to their face, hands and lower legs as explosions accelerated the fire.
Six were released from Hillcrest Medical Center and two remained overnight, said Capt. Stan May, public information officer with the Tulsa Fire Department.
One firefighter who had been released returned to the hospital Wednesday evening after complications from medication prescribed to treat his injuries.
The Tulsa Fire Marshal's Office is working to determine the cause of the blaze.
A preliminary investigation indicates the fire began at the school's east end and moved west.
The ATF's National Response Team is expected to arrive Thursday afternoon. The team brings specialists and advanced equipment to the effort.
May said he's unsure how long the investigation might take.
The School of Arts and Sciences has been moved to the former Sequoyah Elementary building at 3441 E. Archer St.
Copyright 2012 - Tulsa World, Okla.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
