:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-05-2021/t_09fae37a29a34b8da6a924c38afa4227_name_image.jpg "Students and staff evacuated from Oakland Park school after partial roof collapse")
OAKLAND PARK, Florida – Students and staff were evacuated from James S. Rickards Middle School on Friday morning, after the roof partially collapsed in the media center, which is under construction.
The incident occurred around 10am.
Oakland Park spokeswoman Shannon Vezina confirmed that there was a water leak at the school at 6000 NE Ninth Ave. which resulted in a partial collapse of the roof, which left major damage behind.
Authorities said the school principal heard two loud bangs before finding out that the roof had partially collapsed.
A total of 184 students and 55 employees were on campus when the incident occurred.
A representative from Broward County Public Schools confirmed that students and staff had been evacuated to Northeast High School.
Parents can pick up their children from this school if they wish.
The representative confirmed that no one was inside the media center when the incident occurred. However, Local 10 News reporter Hatzel Vela was later informed that 13 students and staff were examined on campus by first responders, five of whom were taken to hospitals.
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The injuries, however, were considered mild and not directly related to the collapse of the roof, but due to symptoms such as headaches and nausea.
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