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Warwick Academy incident leaves one injured

Police responded this morning to reports of an explosion at the Warwick Academy science department (Photo by Akil Simmons)

A female student suffered minor injuries when a wall collapsed in a classroom at Warwick Academy today.

This evening the school confirmed that the incident, which occurred during a period of microscope work, had not been caused by a science experiment.

A letter sent to parents this evening stated: “We are still awaiting a final report on the probable cause of the wall collapse, but do be aware that this was in no way due to a science experiment being conducted in the room.”

Firefighters and Police attended the school at 10.30am when one of the walls in an upper room in the Secondary Science block collapsed.

A statement released earlier from the school had said: “The students were quickly and efficiently evacuated with one receiving minor injuries and subsequent immediate medical treatment. Currently investigators are on site assessing the safety of the building.

“There will be no classes in the Science block nor access through the building until further notice.”

The school said that the students in the class were upset by the incident and received counselling as a result after being checked medically and spoken to by EMTs.

Lt Colin Swan of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service said that when firefighters arrived on the scene, they discovered a hole in the wall with construction blocks both inside of the second-storey classroom and on a walkway outside.

Fire service spokeswoman Sgt Russann Francis said: “There was obvious damage to an exterior wall. However, according to local authorities, the structure of the building is reportedly sound.

“We appreciate all of the Warwick Academy faculty and staff for quickly responding to the situation and ensuring the safety of the students, faculty and staff.”

She added that the cause of the collapse is still under investigation.

A police spokesman said: “The school’s protocols were enacted and inquiries into this incident are under way.”