Update: Small Fire at McLean High School, No Injuries

UPDATE: McLean High School principal Deborah Jackson sent this note to parents about 3:30pm concerning the afternoon fire at McLean High School:

Today, the students and staff members at McLean High School were evacuated from the building when a small fire was discovered in a bathroom.  All students and staff members left the building in an orderly fashion; at no time were any students in danger.

The fire department responded promptly and, because there was a considerable amount of smoke with this fire, the fire department could not give the all clear until the smoke had cleared. As a result, a decision was made to dismiss school 40 minutes early.  Because many students left the building without their personal belongings, we held the buses at the school while awaiting the all clear from the fire department.  Students were readmitted to the building to retrieve their belongings, and buses were sent on their way.

Students who were unable to retrieve their belongings this afternoon may return to the school this afternoon until 7:30 p.m.  Please check in at the Main Office so that an Administrator can let you into the classroom. 

Please do not hesitate to call if you have questions or concerns.

2:45 Original Story. A fire in a boys bathroom filled the main hallway of McLean High School with smoke this afternoon, the  Fairfax County fire department said.

The building which houses more than 1,600 students was evacuated. There were no injuries, fire officials said.

"In one of the bathrooms there appears to be something that was set," said the fire battalion chief at the scene. The fire started in one of the stalls in the bathroom, he said.

When fire crews arrived they found smoke in the mail hallway. They ventilated the building.

Staff and students were allowed to reenter the building about 2:15 p.m. Students walked in picked up their belongings and went to their buses.

Fire officials said there was minimal damage confined to "one area of the bathroom." The bathroom is located across the hall from the administration office. The fire investigation is continuing.

There is no smoking at the school.

Jasmien Yapur, of Falls Church, neared the school to pick up her son and smelled smoked. "I smelled something burning," she said as she stood outside still searching for her son.

"We are worried. . . because this is the first time we hear about a fire," she said.