No Students Injured in Pine Forge Academy Fire

No Students Injured in Pine Forge Academy Dormitory Fire

It will take between two and four weeks to repair the damage from a recent fire at Allegheny East Conference's Pine Forge Academy.

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Students were already in class Tuesday morning when a fire broke out in Kimbrough Hall, the women's dormitory at Allegheny East Conference's Pine Forge Academy in Pine Forge, Pa.  The fire department was dispatched to the building at 9 a.m. and was able to contain the fire. Staff members in the building exited unharmed. Students continued with their regular school schedule for the rest of the day.

The female students displaced by the fire were housed at Allegheny East Conference’s Econo Lodges (cabins) on campus Tuesday evening. The local Red Cross provided students with emergency toiletries, pillows and blankets.

Due to the displacement, Pine Forge Academy’s Thanksgiving Leave began on Wednesday, November 19 at 1 p.m.  instead of the originally scheduled November 25.  Academy faculty and staff worked with parents ensure each student returned home safely.

The fire department reports that the fire started in one dorm room when clothing items ignited due to their close proximity to a wall heater in one of the dorm rooms.

The extent of the damage is still being assessed.  However, it is estimated that it will take about two to four weeks to repair the damage done to the second floor of the dormitory. Students are scheduled to return to school December 1.

Pine Forge Academy is accepting financial contributions of any size to aid in the restoration of Kimbrough Hall, as well and material donations to restore dorm residents’ personal belongings lost by dorm residents.

For more information about how to help, visit https://pfagiving.webconnex.com/pfa .