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Classes, mass cancelled after fire engulfs St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield

By and
Updated  October 8, 2024 7:59am EDT
Crime & Public Safety
FOX 29 Philadelphia

Fire at St. Francis of Assisi School prompts sadness among community

Crews continue to work on putting out a fire at St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield as the feeling of sadness takes over the community.

SPRINGFIELD TWP., Pa. - A fire at St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield erupted late Monday afternoon.

SKYFOX was live over the 100 block of Saxer Avenue where flames reached a second alarm, and smoke and flames could be seen pouring out of the roof. 

Police say no one was inside the school at the time of the fire, and no one was injured.

Crews worked for five hours to extinguish the fire. It's cause is still under investigation.

The school housed grades pre-k, 1st and 3rd grade. Students in second grade and 4th through 8th grades attend classes in another building on the campus.

All classes at the school will be canceled, and the school will be closed for at least Tuesday, according to a statement from Kenneth A. Gavin, Chief Communications Officer for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

"At this time, our concern is for the safety of the school community, the community-at-large, and working to provide continued instruction with as little interruption as possible. We will make any other determinations at a later time pending all circumstances and information," said a statement from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia official. 

According to the St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 8:00 a.m. mass on Tuesday will also be canceled after the fire in the Primary School building caused smoke to enter the Church and Rectory buildings.

The school also released the following statement to its community: 

"We are heartbroken to inform our families that we have experienced a significant fire in our primary building. Thankfully, due to the quick actions of our police and firefighters, no one was injured today. St. Francis will be closed tomorrow Tuesday, October 8, 2024. We will communicate more information to you tomorrow concerning the rest of the week. Rest assured, we are a strong community. We are surrounded by a town that cares about us. Things can always be replaced. People cannot. And it will be the people, through our collective efforts, that see through this difficult time. Remember, Jesus rose from the dead, and just as He did, we will rise from the ashes together."