Fire ravages Lulu Ross Elementary in Milford; fire marshals investigate
MILFORD, Del. – The Office of the Delaware State Fire Marshal is investigating a three-alarm fire that heavily damaged an elementary school in Milford on Sunday morning.
Shortly after 4:00 a.m. on Oct. 25, the Carlisle Fire Company was alerted to an automatic fire alarm at the Lulu Ross Elementary School. Lulu Ross serves nearly 700 elementary school students in grades one through five.
Upon arrival, fire fighters found fire coming from the roof of the school. Fire marshals say crews attempted an interior attack on the fire, but deteriorating conditions forced them to evacuate the structure. The fire grew to three alarms bringing additional resources to the scene, including the Georgetown and Greenwood Volunteer Fire Companies. Various teams with the Kent County Department of Public Safety also responded to assist with firefighter rehabilitation, drone monitoring, and searching the building for classroom pets.
In messages shared to social media on Sunday, the Milford School District said the fire spread through the lobby, front office, and library, causing significant damage. As a result of the fire, school at Lulu Ross Elementary has been canceled from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30, with no in-person or remote instruction plans in place.
Additionally, Mispillion Elementary, which is located on the same campus as Lulu Ross, lost internet and working phones due to fiberoptic connectivity issues related to fire damage. As a result, Milford School District announced that classes at Mispillion would also be canceled on Oct. 26. However, the school district added that they have been in contact with state agencies who are sending service crews to the campus to start repair work in hopes that fiber optic service is restored as soon as possible.
“We are currently working with other state agencies to build a collection of resources for staff and families who may be dealing with trauma associated with this devastating fire and the realization of such a significant loss and will be sharing this information later,” one of the messages from the school district read. “While our school community remains strong, I ask that families and community members refrain from visiting the school as there are still investigative and response crews still on-site assessing damage.”
Deputy State Fire Marshals responded to the scene to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. Investigators determined that the fire originated in the Kent wing of the school, but the cause remains under investigation. Investigators have found no evidence of criminal activity at this time.
“Today has been a difficult day for Milford,” the Kent County Department of Public Safety said in a post to social media. “For students, Ross is a familiar place filled with friends and trusted teachers. For staff and generations of families, it holds years of hard work, milestones, and memories. Our hearts are with everyone who calls Lulu Ross their school.”
Governor Matt Meyer shared a message to social media on Saturday, sharing his support for the larger Milford community in light of the fire.
“A school is the heart of the community, and I know this loss is hard for the students, families, and educators who fill those halls every day,” Meyer’s statement read, in part. “The State of Delaware is working directly with Milford School District leadership to help them navigate the days ahead. Our priority is supporting the district as it makes alternate arrangements, communicates with families, and plans for a safe return to learning.”
Additionally, because Lulu Ross serves as a polling place for many Milford voters, the Delaware Department of Elections Sussex County Office has relocated the polling place to Mispillion Elementary for general election day on Nov. 3. Letters have been mailed to all applicable registered voters to inform them of the change.
Lulu Ross Elementary families should continue to monitor the Milford School District’s social media & lines of communication as updates continue to be made available.
