Quick Response by Plains Fire Department Prevents Major Damage, Building Expected to Reopen Monday

PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY — Students and staff at the Solomon Elementary and Middle School Complex will learn from home for the remainder of the week after an early morning fire Thursday forced the evacuation of the Abbott Street building.

What Happened

The incident began around 7:00 a.m. Thursday morning when administrative staff at the Solomon Junior High Building spotted flames coming from a classroom. The discovery came before students arrived for the day, preventing what could have been a far more dangerous situation.

Plains Township Fire Department responded within minutes of the emergency call and quickly contained the blaze, demonstrating the rapid response capabilities that likely prevented the fire from spreading throughout the facility.

“Although the fire was brought under control quickly, approximately six rooms in the Complex experienced water exposure from the response efforts, and smoke traveled through sections of the hallways,” explained Superintendent Dr. Brian J. Costello of the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.

No Injuries Reported

Fortunately, no students were inside the building when the fire started, and no injuries have been reported among staff or first responders. The timing of the discovery—just before the school day began—proved crucial in ensuring everyone’s safety.

Impact on Students and Families

The Solomon Complex, which houses both elementary and middle school students, will remain closed Thursday and Friday as crews work to assess and repair the damage. All students and staff assigned to the facility have transitioned to virtual learning during this period.

Key Details for Families:

• Building Status: Closed Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22
• Learning Mode: Virtual instruction for all Solomon Complex students
• Expected Reopening: Monday, November 25 (pending completion of repairs)
• Affected Grades: Elementary through Grade 8
• Location: 43 Abbott Street, Plains Township

Parents and guardians should check the Wilkes-Barre Area School District website and ParentSquare app for updates on virtual learning schedules and reopening plans.

What’s Being Done

Repair crews are working throughout the closure period to:

• Remove water damage from the six affected classrooms
• Clear smoke residue from hallways and common areas
• Inspect HVAC systems to ensure air quality
• Conduct safety assessments before students return
• Replace or repair any damaged educational materials and equipment

The district is prioritizing a thorough cleanup to ensure the building is completely safe and ready for students when it reopens.

Investigation Underway

Fire investigators are currently working to determine what sparked the blaze. The cause remains under investigation, and officials have not yet released information about which room was the origin point or what may have triggered the fire.

The Plains Township Fire Department and local authorities continue to examine the scene to identify the cause and ensure no safety hazards remain.

Community Response

The Solomon Complex serves hundreds of students from Plains Township and surrounding areas within the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. The facility has been a cornerstone of the community’s educational infrastructure for years.

Local officials have praised the quick response of the Plains Township Fire Department and the vigilance of school administrators in spotting the fire early.

About Solomon Complex

The Solomon Elementary and Middle School Complex on Abbott Street serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. According to recent enrollment data, Solomon/Plains Middle School alone serves approximately 741 students in grades 6-8, with an additional population of younger students in the elementary building.

The facility is part of the larger Wilkes-Barre Area School District, which has been working to modernize its communication systems and enhance safety protocols across all buildings.

What Parents Need to Know

Immediate Actions:

• Check your email and the ParentSquare app for virtual learning instructions
• Ensure your child has access to their device and login credentials
• Contact the school office at (570) 826-7224 with questions
• Monitor the district website for reopening updates

Long-Term Plans: District officials are confident that repairs will be completed over the two-day closure period and that students will return to in-person learning on Monday. However, families should remain flexible as the situation is assessed.

If repairs take longer than anticipated or additional issues are discovered, the district will communicate updated timelines through its primary notification channels.

Stay Informed

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available about the cause of the fire and the status of building repairs.

For the latest updates:

• Visit the Wilkes-Barre Area School District website: www.wbasd.k12.pa.us
• Download the ParentSquare app for instant notifications
• Follow local news outlets for breaking updates
• Call the district office with specific questions or concerns

The safety and well-being of students and staff remains the top priority as the district works to return the Solomon Complex to normal operations.

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Story Updates:

• Thursday, 7:00 a.m. — Fire discovered by administration
• Thursday, morning — Building closed, virtual learning announced
• Expected Monday — Building reopening pending repairs

The Wilkes-Barre Area School District serves approximately 7,000 students across multiple buildings in Luzerne County. The Solomon Complex is one of five elementary facilities in the district.