On Wednesday afternoon, Columbine High School in Denver was evacuated and closed after a fire broke out on the school grounds.

The blaze, which started outside the woodshop area, led to a chaotic scene as students and staff quickly evacuated.

A History Marked by Tragedy

The timing of the fire adds to the tension at Columbine, as it marks the 25th anniversary of the horrific school shooting that took place in April 1999.

On that fateful day, two 12th-grade students opened fire, killing 12 students and one teacher, and injuring 21 others.

The attack remained the deadliest school shooting at a K-12 institution until the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012.

Fire Details and Immediate Response

Despite the unsettling circumstances, authorities confirmed that all students at the school were accounted for following the fire.

The blaze, which started at 11 a.m. local time, ignited near a wood dust collector and was quickly brought under control by fire officials.

While several students, along with two firefighters, were evaluated for possible injuries, there were no major reports of harm.

Evacuations and Safety Measures

As a safety precaution, the school’s power was shut off, and all students were evacuated from the buildings.

At the time, children from local elementary schools were visiting Columbine to watch a theater production, which added to the scale of the evacuation.

Students from Ken Caryl Middle School, Columbine Hills Elementary, Dutch Creek Elementary, Governor’s Ranch Elementary, Leawood Elementary, and Normandy Elementary were also affected by the closure.

School Remains Closed for the Day

In the wake of the fire, Columbine High School will remain closed for the rest of the day as authorities continue to assess the situation.

The community is left to wonder what the next steps will be following this unsettling event.