School will start on time after fire breaks out at Kealing Middle School

Austin ISD school officials announced on Dec. 29 that school will start on time at Kealing Middle School after a fire broke out on the morning of Dec. 27 inside the building.

"We're thankful no one was there at the time of the fire," Elizabeth Lippincott, spokesperson for AISD. "The fire department was able to put out the fire quickly."

Austin Fire Department was called to the middle school at 1607 Pennsylvania Ave., Austin, at 7 a.m. Fire officials said the fire was able to be contained to the teacher's lounge and was knocked down and extinguished quickly by the arriving units.

Initial reports blamed a space heater in the school, however, on Dec. 29 officials determined the fire was started by a malfunctioning refrigerator in the lounge.

"Thankfully, the fire was contained to the teacher's lounge and most of the smoke in the building was cleared out by the Austin Fire Department," Principal Nathan Steenport said. "At this point, we do not anticipate any delays in school when students return."

Kealing Middle School students are expected to return to school on Tuesday, Jan. 10.