Update: Small Fire at Wyandotte High School

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is providing an update on the status of Wyandotte High School and outlining next steps following a recent fire incident.

There was a small fire that occurred on Friday, January 30, at approximately 11:00pm.

The fire was contained to a small storage closet beneath the stairwell and adjacent to the auditorium. The stairwell serves as an access point to the auditorium.

Although the fire itself was small, residual smoke remained in portions of the building. Smoke residue can negatively impact indoor air quality due to the presence of gases and fine particles, even when visible damage is limited.

School administrators are waiting for air quality test results, particularly in areas adjacent to the scene of the fire, before allowing full reentry.

As a result, administrators have temporarily closed portions of the building while awaiting the results of air quality testing. Staff and students are not currently in the building as a precautionary measure until the test results are received.

Once air quality results are confirmed, a comprehensive cleaning process will begin in all affected areas.

Administrators are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of the school community, including approximately 1,850 students and several hundred staff members.

Certain areas of the school that were not impacted by the incident have been deemed safe. Students are permitted to access those approved areas at this time.

Further updates will be provided as soon as additional information becomes available.