School fire01

 

Waupaca County Post

February 16, 1928

 

Presence of Mind of Teacher Saves the Cedar Lake School

 

            Last Tuesday the gasoline stove that stands in one end of the front hall at Cedar Lake school south of Waupaca was lighted during the recess to be in readiness for making lunch at the noon hour.

            During the forenoon session a noise was heard but was believed to be a broken branch of some tree yielding to the weight of ice and sleet.

            Soon it was discovered that the noise was the result of an explosion in the gasoline stove. The teacher, Miss Evelyn Kissinger, directed movement of the pupils so they all passed out of doors safely.  She then used her coat and some other garments to smother the flames.  Two snowmen standing just outside the school house door were broken up and carried inside and thrown upon the blaze which was finally subdued by prompt action of the teacher and the pupils.

            Mr. George Button, who informed us of the accident, suggested that a small chemical extinguisher and perhaps two might be purchased by the school to be used in cases of emergency and would cost possibly less than the garments destroyed in extinguishing that little blaze.  We might add that every school should be equipped with one or two small extinguishers to be used only in emergencies.