Kealing Middle School cancels classes for second day after fire

AISD middle school has overnight fire

Classes were canceled on the first day of school for Kealing Middle School after the Austin Fire Department responded to a second alarm fire late last night.

AUSTIN, Texas - Classes were canceled on the first day of school for Kealing Middle School due to a fire.

On Tuesday afternoon, the school district gave an update saying classes would also be canceled on Wednesday, August 21.

Kealing Middle School 1st day of classes canceled

Classes have been canceled on the first day of school for Kealing Middle School after the Austin Fire Department responded to a second alarm fire late last night. Education reporter Jessica Rivera has the details.

The Austin Independent School District says late Monday night, the Austin Fire Department responded to a fire on the second floor of the school.

The fire was quickly contained and crews immediately began to air out the school with fans and repair the damage caused by the fire and sprinklers.

Any students who need to be on campus for any reason will have a safe space with activities in the gym and cafeteria.

Additionally, bagged lunch will be available for pick-up between 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the back of the school off Salina St. near the gym foyer.

Officials say it appears that the fire was related to an overloaded outlet in a classroom and the fire department does not suspect arson.

Fire breaks out in Kealing Middle School teachers' lounge

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish a fire in the teachers' lounge of an East Austin middle school. Video courtesy: D McKeon/Austin Fire Department

Kealing Middle School was included in the 2022 bond improvements. The campus was undergoing HVAC electrical and plumbing improvements.

This is not the first time Kealing experienced an electrical fire during a break.

In December 2022, firefighters responded to a fire in the teachers' lounge where AFD said a fridge was the source of the fire.