Georgia School Fire Destroys Musical Instruments
ATLANTA --
The band director for KIPP WAYS Academy said the show must go on even after a fire destroyed nearly all of the school's musical instruments.
The two-alarm blaze started early Friday morning at the school.
Atlanta fire investigators said it was faulty electrical wiring in a heating and cooling unit on the roof that destroyed most of the third floor.
On Monday, students started their first day of class at a new school, Turner Middle School about three miles up the road.
The charter school worked tirelessly over the weekend to prepare classrooms for the incoming students. The executive director for KIPP WAYS said students will most likely finish the school year at Turner Middle School while contractors work to fix the damage caused by the fire.
"The show must go on," said Author Washington, band director for KIPP WAYS. "I am thankful it was the instruments and not the kids. You can take the instruments, but you can never take away the talent that our kids have. So replacing the instrument is one thing. But a child is something that is irreplaceable."
The instruments suffered heavy water, smoke and fire damage. Some snare drums had pieces of the ceiling embedded in them. Other instruments were growing mold because of all of the water.
"I can't have kids inhaling those mold spores," said Washington.
Washington now has the daunting task of trying to salvage the instruments that were damage or destroyed.
A trumpet pulled from the rubble didn't have a scratch. "It's amazing they were able to recover anything," said Washington.
Carere Music donated more than 30 instruments for the band to use in tomorrow night's concert. Washington told CBS Atlanta News he couldn't believe all of the support the school has received from the community.
"It's just wonderful," said Washington.
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