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Multiple fire departments responded to the report of a fire on the second floor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish School, located at 112 Saxer Avenue, the Springfield Fire Company said on its Facebook page.
Firefighters arrived on scene within 2 minutes of the report and found fire coming out of the second floor and extending to the building's roof at 5:08 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, according to the Springfield Fire Company.
The school janitor was reported missing but was later accounted for, the fire company said. No one else was in the building at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.
A second alarm was eventually requested because of rapidly deteriorating conditions, according to the fire company. Crews were on scene for about five hours fighting the fire.
The Saint Francis of Assisi Parish School thanked first responders and told the community it will reach out regarding plans for recovery in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
"We are grateful for the Springfield Fire Department, Springfield Police and all the neighboring first responders who worked tirelessly to fight the fire [...] Today we are asking for prayers, both of Thanksgiving that no one was injured and for Wisdom as our principal, pastor and school/parish staff work with the Archdiocese and local resources to develop a plan for next steps."
"We will communicate all efforts to support our school, teachers, staff, and students as soon as we can [...] God bless you all. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us."
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Springfield Township Police, Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal, and the Delaware County District Attorney's Criminal Investigation Division, the Springfield Fire Company said. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is involved in the investigation.
Watch crews battle the blaze in the video players below.
Springfield Fire Company was initially assisted by the Morton-Rutledge Fire Company, Clifton Heights Fire Company, Collingdale Fire Company, and Springfield Ambulance.
The second alarm brought in Garrettford-Drexel Hill Fire, Primos-Secane Fire Company, Holmes Fire Company Station 43, Bon Air Fire Company, and Middletown Fire Company. Additional units from Broomall Fire Company, Garden City Fire Company, Rocky Run Fire Company, Manoa Fire Company Station 56, Swarthmore Fire & Protective Association, and Rose Tree Fire Company also responded.
West Grove Fire Company covered Springfield Township while Springfield Fire Company was on scene.
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