Watford mourns loss of long-time firefighter
Photo via Facebook
Students cross the road near St. John Fisher School in Forest Fri. Jan 9 after a fire in the building. No one was injured.
Students return to class Monday after fire at Forest’s Catholic elementary school
January 11, 2026
The Independent
Students will be back in class at St. John Fisher Catholic School in Forest Monday after a fire in the elementary school.
Friday, while students and staff were still in the building, Lambton Shores firefighters from Forest and the surrounding area as well as the OPP were called to the elementary school around 1:25 pm after a “minor fire” in the food preparation area, according to school officials. The students and staff evacuated immediately and were sent to the designated evacuation area as seven fire trucks arrived at the scene.
Firefighters extinguished the fire and then went through the building to assess smoke and air quality. Students, who left the building without their coats, stayed in the cleared areas of the school and then were dismissed at their regular time.
Officials say the cause of the fire and the amount of damage done are still under investigation.
Parents say cleaning crews were onsite on the weekend and they received notice late Sunday that the school would be open as usual Monday morning.
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