WASHINGTON — Emergency crews closed Kramer Middle School on Q Street Southeast Tuesday because of a diesel leak. DC Police and firefighters were called to the scene to conduct an investigation.
Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White first reported the closure on social media just before 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. According to White, no one was able to access the building and students were sent to nearby Anacostia High School for the day. Classes at Kramer were canceled for the day.
Vito Maggiolo, a public information officer for DC Fire and EMS, said there was a leak in a container in an electrical closet in the basement of the school. Maggiolo and fire investigators determined the leak was petroleum-based diesel.
Maggiolo said the spill has been cleaned up and the building has been ventilated. There were not students in the building at the time to call was received.
A letter was sent home to Kramer Middle School parents and families explaining Tuesday's emergency closure. Principal Katreena Shelby says upon further investigation, it was determined that a container storing oil had broken down, causing oil to leak into the surrounding boiler room, which created a pool and strong fuel smell throughout the basement area. This when the building closed and contractors began to work on properly disposing of the oil.
Classes are expected to resume tomorrow.
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