A massive fire ravaged and destroyed a local Catholic school in Delaware County causing the school to close for Tuesday. A large gathering of the parish community watched for hours as crews worked to get the fire under control. NBC10’s Brian Sheehan has the details and reaction from students and parents.
A large gathering of the school and parish community watched as firefighters battled a massive fire at a Catholic school in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Monday.
The two-alarm fire started late on the afternoon of Oct. 7, 2024, at the St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield Township. SkyForce10 was over the scene as firefighters battled flames and large plumes of smoke.
Springfield Township police said the fire was reported just after 5 p.m., a few hours after the school day ended.
Officials have not yet revealed the cause of the fire.
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The school, located on 112 Saxer Avenue in Springfield, serves preschool through eighth grade students and is part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The fire damaged the building that houses pre-k, kindergarten, first and third grades.
Kenneth Gavin, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, told NBC10 no one was inside the building during the fire, according to initial reports from school administrators.
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“It’s amazing to see the damage that’s been done. Thankfully, no one got hurt, which is the most important thing," Brian Smith, a parent, said.
The St. Francis of Assisi School will be closed on Tuesday.
"Students in grades 2 and 4 through 8 at Saint Francis of Assisi attend classes in another building on the campus," Gavin wrote. "At this time, the fire appears controlled to one building. All classes at the school will be cancelled for at least tomorrow. Efforts are already underway to locate an alternate learning location for those who will be affected by the loss of classroom space."
The Saint Francis of Assisi Parish is celebrating 100 years in the community. While the structure can be rebuilt, the loss is devastating for many.
“To see the history and this building and these beautiful classrooms gone and all of the children watching, it’s been really hard. A hard night," Bernadette Kutudaris, a parent, said.
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