Explosion that led to high school evacuation was caused by fireworks, Texas cops say

A high school in Texas was evacuated on Tuesday after two students set off fireworks in the cafeteria at lunchtime, officials say.

Two students have been arrested and charged with arson after officials say they intentionally ignited a firework in Klein Forest High School in Houston during lunch, KPRC reported.

The firework was set off while inside a container, Klein Independent School District said in a statement to parents. Officials and students told KTRK they had been in a container inside a male student’s backpack.

Initially, one student was detained then immediately expelled, according to the school district.

“They popped the fireworks right in front of me,” senior Tiffany Doiron told the outlet.

Officials say all 4,000 students and staff in the building were evacuated and dismissed for the rest of the day, KTRK reported.

Four students were injured during the incident — two by the firework and two as they ran away, Spring Happenings reported.

All injuries were minor and no one was hospitalized, but counselors and school nurses were on hand to help care for students in the aftermath, KISD said.

“This was a very serious incident that occurred inside one of our schools, and we are fortunate the injuries sustained were minor,” Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie L. Christensen said, according to KPRC. “I’m proud of our partnerships with Klein ISD Police, local law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office. Our officers were able to quickly identify the suspects, obtain confessions, and file charges.”

KISD says students should always speak up when they see something out of the ordinary.

“We encourage all of our students and staff to be vigilant and proactive,” KISD said in the statement. “Please contact us whenever you see or hear something suspicious concerning Klein ISD. If you see something, say something. Don’t spread it, report it.”

This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 10:36 AM with the headline "Explosion that led to high school evacuation was caused by fireworks, Texas cops say."