A former elementary school in Silver Spring that was in the process of being demolished burned Tuesday night into Wednesday, sending flames and smoke throughout the area.
There were no injuries, and no one was inside the former site of the Joann Lelek Elementary School at Broad Acres on Beacon Drive. The fire started around 8:30 p.m.
Almost 100 firefighters battled the blaze through the night and about a couple dozen were still on-site Wednesday morning, according to Pete Piringer, spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.
During the demolition work, the sprinkler system had been shut down, which complicated the extinguishing of the flames, according to Piringer. The fire spread in concealed and void spaces and through the roof, he said.
The fire department is working with both Montgomery County Public Schools and the demolition crew, Piringer said Wednesday morning.
County Executive Marc Elrich said on X Wednesday morning: “The fire at the old JoAnn Leleck Elementary School in Silver Spring is now contained. No injuries have been reported, & the building was scheduled for demolition. Thnx to @mcfrs for working tirelessly through the night. Investigation will begin once the fire is fully out.”
The demolition work was being done to make way for a larger school.
9/24 Joann Leleck ES at Broad Acres, Beacon Dr, unoccupied building under construction/demolition, heavy fire conditions upon arrival, no injuries pic.twitter.com/hVwgNeY6ap
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 25, 2024
Update – Joann Leleck Elementary School at Broad Acres, Beacon Rd, @mcfrs remain on scene, bldg scheduled demolition, fire is being contained, no injuries, FFs will likely be working with demolition crews as day goes forward, initial dispatch 9p 9/24 pic.twitter.com/BA9brhrDI8
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 25, 2024
Update – 2-Alarm Beacon Rd, school bldg, >75 FFs on scene, active firefighting ongoing, initial dispatch 9p pic.twitter.com/giba7TOvoF
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 25, 2024
Update: The fire at the old JoAnn Leleck Elementary School in Silver Spring is now contained. No injuries have been reported, & the building was scheduled for demolition. Thnx to @mcfrs for working tirelessly through the night. Investigation will begin once the fire is fully out. https://t.co/GtCgiM9LTW
— County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) September 25, 2024
