Minor fire damage at Berwick High

Firefighters were able to contain an electrical fire Saturday afternoon at Berwick High School to a food and consumer science lab, according to a St. Mary Parish School Board news release.
Fire departments from Berwick, Bayou Vista, and Morgan City responded to a fire Saturday afternoon at Berwick High School, the news release stated. The fire originated in the school’s food and consumer science lab and caused smoke damage to nearby areas, the release said.
In the news release, St. Mary Parish Schools Superintendent Leonard Armato said, “The immediate response by school principal Dr. Buffy Fegenbush and surrounding fire departments enabled the fire to be contained to the lab area. Maintenance personnel were also dispatched to the scene quickly once the fire was extinguished to secure the area and begin the clean-up process.”
Armato said initial media reports claiming the possibility of arson were a result of fire department protocol. Whenever a public building sustains fire damage, procedure necessitates that arson be ruled out as a contributing factor, the release stated. The state fire marshal was called in to aid in the investigation. After further examination, the cause of the fire is believed to be electrical in nature, the release said.
In addition to Armato and Fegenbush, the school district’s maintenance supervisor Brad Wise and district financial officer Alton Perry helped determine the next steps in assessing the damage and planning for structural repairs. Fegenbush was pleased to receive support from district officials as well as school board members Mike Taylor and Kenny Alfred, the release stated.
“The outpouring of concern and help from the community has been overwhelming,” Fegenbush said in the news release. “It was reassuring to have the fire departments from Berwick, Bayou Vista, and Morgan City on site to assist. Their quick response was a key factor in limiting the damage to the building. I am eternally grateful for them all.”