Press conference planned after fire damages East St. John Elementary

Published 5:07 am Friday, August 14, 2015

RESERVE — St. John Schools Superintendent Kevin George will conduct a press conference regarding the fire at East St. John Elementary School at 12:30 p.m. today.

Classes have been canceled today (Friday, Aug. 14) for East St. John Elementary and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary schools following a fire in the East St. John Elementary School building.

Students of Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School are attending classes in portable buildings on the East St. John Elementary campus while the school is rebuilt at its U.S. 51 location in LaPlace.

Officials were alerted to the fire at approximately 12:15 a.m. Friday by fire alarms at the school and several area fire departments responded.

A spokesperson with St. John the Baptist Parish said the fire marshall is investigating the cause of the fire and advised local fire department officials not to comment until more information is gathered.

School district officials are meeting today to assess the situation and more information concerning a return to classes will be released once it becomes available.