Wayland, Mass. – A fire broke out in an art classroom at Wayland High School on Wednesday morning when a student dropped a soldering torch during a jewelry and metalworking lesson. The incident occurred at approximately 9:15 a.m., prompting an immediate evacuation of the building.

Principal Allyson Mizoguchi sent a letter to families explaining that the blaze was quickly contained after a fellow student grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the flames. Wayland Fire Department personnel arrived promptly, removed the torch and associated gas tanks from the room, and confirmed that the fire posed no further danger.

The fire left one student with minor burns. The injured student received initial care from the school’s nursing staff before being transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. According to the Wayland Fire Department, the student has since been released and is expected to make a full recovery.

After the fire was extinguished, officials cleared the building for use, and regular classes resumed later in the day. However, the art room where the incident occurred will remain closed while a thorough safety inspection is completed.

Safety review and next steps

Fire officials indicated that the incident will trigger a meeting between town officials and school administrators to review safety procedures and ensure that proper protocols are in place for handling equipment such as soldering torches. The discussion will focus on reinforcing classroom safety guidelines, improving emergency response training for students and staff, and evaluating the adequacy of fire suppression equipment in specialized classrooms.

Wayland High School’s administration emphasized its commitment to providing a safe learning environment. “The safety of our students and staff is our top priority,” Mizoguchi wrote. “We are working closely with fire officials to review our policies and make any necessary adjustments to prevent future incidents.”

Parents and community members have been encouraged to stay informed about the ongoing safety review. The school plans to share updates on any policy changes or additional training sessions that may result from the meeting.

While the incident was unsettling, the swift actions of the student who used the fire extinguisher, the prompt response of the fire department, and the coordinated effort of school staff helped limit the damage and ensure that classes could continue with minimal disruption.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.