Fire & Life Safety

New York City high school damaged in explosion will begin classes on schedule

John F. Kennedy High School in the Bronx was damaged Aug. 20 when gas ignited in a science lab.
Sept. 3, 2015
2 min read

A New York City high school damaged by an explosion when a worker lit a match inside a gas-filled science lab will reopen in time for the first day of classes on Sept. 9

NBC New York reports that city officials have determined the building that houses John F. Kennedy High School is safe to occupy. Since the explosion, workers have stayed on site around the clock to make repairs and seal off damaged rooms. The damaged labs will be replaced with lab carts, or students may use other functioning labs in the building.

In addition to Kennedy High, the campus houses several other schools.

From Aug 21: Three construction workers were injured Thursday night when an explosion severely damaged a New York City high school.

CBS New York reported that the explosion occurred in a science lab on the sixth floor at John F. Kennedy High School in the Bronx. The three injured workers were taken to a local hospital and treated for severe burns. Investigators say crews were working on a gas line when the explosion occurred.

School district officials could not say if the damage to the building would prevent the academic year from beginning on time. Classes are scheduled to start on Sept. 9. About 1,300 students are enrolled at John F. Kennedy.

Video from CBS New York:

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy, senior editor, has written for AS&U on a wide range of educational issues since 1999.

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