NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Columbus Elementary School in New Rochelle is closed for the day due an oil leak from the school’s boiler. There is a strong odor from the oil in the building.
There is no danger to the children or staff but as a precaution the school was closed.
Parents are being turned away at the door. Parents whose children were already at school are being contacted to come pick up their children from the school. The children who are not picked up will be evacuated to a nearby location until their parents or guardians can pick them up. See Update Below
Parents or guardians can contact the school for further information.
Columbus Elementary School is located at 275 Washington Avenue in New Rochelle, NY. The main office number is 914-576-4401.
New Rochelle police have been called to the scene to assist as some parents are confused and upset. Today is the first day back for local schools following the tragic events on Friday at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.
UPDATE 9:00 AM: New Rochelle Fire Department Ladder 12 has been called to the school to ventilate the building. Firefighters have set up large fans to air out the building. According to firefighters on the scene, approximately 50 gallons of fuel oil spilled in the basement. Clean up crews have been called to the scene.
UPDATE 11:00 AM The New Rochelle Board of Education has issued a statement:
Columbus Elementary School in New Rochelle is closed today due to a malfunctioning boiler that is emitting a smell of oil throughout the building. In consultation with the New Rochelle Fire Department, a decision was made not to open the building to students.
The school is prepared to begin on a two hour delay at 10:30am and will hold classes at the Boys & Girls Club behind the Columbus building.
District plumbers and county environmental experts are currently assessing the situation and we will update parents as we learn any new information.