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OAKLAND PARK, Fla. – Students and staff members were evacuated from James S. Rickards High School on Friday morning after the roof partially collapsed at the media center, which is under construction and had no one in the interior.
The incident occurred around ten in the morning
Oakland Park spokeswoman Shannon Vezina confirmed there was a water leak at the school at 6000 NE Ninth Ave. which caused the partial collapse of the roof, which left significant damage.
A total of 184 students and 55 staff members were on campus when the incident occurred. They were evacuated to Northeast High School, where parents could pick up their children.
Broward County Public Schools confirmed that no one was inside the media center when the incident occurred, although Local News 10 reporter Hatzel Vela was later informed that 13 students and staff members were removed to campus by the first attendees, five of whom were taken to hospitals.
The injuries were said to be mild and were not directly related to the collapse of the roof, but had symptoms such as headaches and nausea.
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Authorities said the school principal felt strong blows before discovering the roof had partially collapsed.
“Before 10 a.m. this morning, the principal was in his office when he heard a noise, which was followed by a later noise,” said Keyla Concepcion of Broward County Public Schools.
The communication center has been under construction as part of an ongoing project since mid-last year.
Firefighters searched the building to make sure no one was trapped.
“We also brought a dog to search the whole school to make sure no one was there, and also a drone to check and make sure there was no one on the roof who could be injured during the collapse,” said Chief Steve Krivjanik of the Oakland Park Fire Brigade.
Local 10 News spoke with parents who were quick to find their children.
“I panicked,” one said. “I just got out of the shower, put on some clothes and came straight here.”
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