Student Injured in Calif. Chemistry Class Fire

Feb. 2, 2013
One student was taken to a hospital after a fire broke out in a chemistry classroom at Clovis North High School on Friday afternoon.

Feb. 02--One student was taken to a hospital after a fire broke out in a chemistry classroom at Clovis North High School on Friday afternoon, according to the Fresno Fire Department.

Department spokesman Koby Johns said the student sustained first-degree burns to the throat.

The fire broke out about 1:15 p.m. in a chemistry classroom as a teacher was showing a student an experiment involving two chemicals. The fire got out of control and ignited a backpack, causing the blaze to spread.

The teacher quickly covered the blaze with a fire blanket, then doused the fire with an extinguisher, Johns said.

No other information about the condition of the student taken to the hospital was available, Clovis Unified School District spokeswoman Kelly Avants said.

A second student suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene, Johns said.

About 3,000 students were briefly evacuated from the campus before returning to class.

The reporter can be reached at (559) 441-6339 or [email protected].

Copyright 2013 - The Fresno Bee

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