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Worcester firefighters responded to the fire at the New Doherty High School at 299 Highland Street on the afternoon of Monday, Sept. 12, Deputy Fire Chief Adam Roche said in a statement.
Upon arrival, crews found heaving fire conditions involving roofing materials that were installed earlier that day, Roche said. Heavy smoke was seen coming from the five-story building for miles.
One construction worker was taken to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening, Roche said. Crews took about 30 minutes to contain the fire, he added.
"The cause of the fire determined to be a welding incident, which ignited the piled roofing material," Roche said. "At the time of the incident, the required hot work permit from the Worcester Fire Department had lapsed. The Worcester Fire Department will not issue another hot work permit until an acceptable construction safety plan is presented and approved."
Authorities are still working to address the scope of the damage sustained from the fire.
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