East Greenwich High School closed after heating system failure

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WLNE) — East Greenwich High School is closed until Friday after the building’s heating system failed.

According to Brian Ricca, Superintendent of Schools, at 6:45 a.m., Monday, cold classrooms and limited heat was reported in the building. Officials said they found that there was low pressure in the school’s heating system.

After filling the system with water, around 9:15 a.m., the power went off in the school. It was later discovered the main breaker couldn’t hold but at the time, officials did not know it was a heating emergency.

Later that morning there was a burning smell near Room 113, along with a natural gas smell which prompted the evacuation of the building.

Electricians were able to get the heating system back up and running by Monday evening, but the next morning, low pressure was found in the water system.

On Nov. 28, maintenance crews pumped water back into the system while still trying to find the cause of the low pressure.

At 3 p.m. Tuesday, maintenance teams found a hot spot on the floor in a hallway near a classroom and also discovered water coming up in a back stairwell. Teams worked through Tuesday night to have heat for Wednesday.

However, Wednesday morning, the decision was made to cancel school due to the lack of hear. Crews have since been able to isolate what they think is the source of the leak and will be excavating the area to repair it.

The superintendent said the school is hoping to have staff and students back in school on Friday, Dec. 1.