Battle High School temporarily evacuated Friday for trash can fire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Students at Battle High School were evacuated from the building for about 20 minutes on Friday after a bathroom trash can caught fire, according to an email from a CPS spokesperson.

A cause for the fire was not described. Columbia Public Schools spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said in an email that a text-message alert was sent to families and a letter from Principal Aly Galbreath.

Baumstark said that there was no damage to the building, except the trash can.

The evacuation took place around 11:20 a.m. The email from Galbreath states that the fire was “immediately extinguished by a Battle staff member and the trash can was removed from the building.” The email states that students went back into the building after the incident was cleared by security and first responders.

“Additionally, building administration and safety and security have conducted an investigation and appropriate consequences are being assigned to those responsible for the incident,” the email states.

The email does not distinguish if the fire was started by a student or staff member.