EL MONTE, Calif. (KTLA) –A three-alarm blaze gutted the cafeteria building of a high school in El Monte on Monday morning.
The fire was reported around 2:30 a.m. at Mountain View High School, located at 2900 Parkway Drive.
The large building also houses a maintenance shop, a faculty cafeteria and a student store.
Firefighters began with an aggressive interior attack, but had to pull back into defensive mode due to a partial building collapse.
“The collapses of the facade and the interior roof were continuing throughout the incident, so it was absolutely unsafe to operate from within,” said Tony Imbrenda, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
There were six ladder trucks and about 150 firefighters at the scene.
Fire crews fought to keep the flames from spreading to any other buildings. The cafeteria building appeared to be a total loss.
One firefighter suffered a minor back strain but was not transported for treatment.
The fire was knocked down just after 6:30 a.m., Imbrenda said.
A bulldozer was brought in to pull down burning embers, and crews remained on scene hours later to continue cleanup efforts.
It wasn’t immediately clear what may have sparked the blaze.
Investigators say it could have been a lot worse, had it not been for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
“It was definitely a blessing in disguise for us today to not have school and deal with the influx of individuals coming into this scene,” said Imbrenda.
School officials say classes will go on as scheduled tomorrow.
32 Comments to “Fire Rips Through School Cafeteria in El Monte”
January 21, 2013 at 7:24 AM
The building also hosts the activities center, ASB room and a few new classrooms. It's very sad. There were a lot of historical items in this building. =( I am 22 and graduated from this school. My mother is 52 and graduated from this school when she was 17. It's very sad.
January 21, 2013 at 9:17 AM
its sad what happened… i wounder what will happen tomorrow since i am a current Jr at that school
January 21, 2013 at 11:23 AM
Apparently, the school leadership is lacking, if this student and his family have not been notified and/or contacted by the school.
January 21, 2013 at 11:14 AM
I'm so sorry…I am 51 and graduated in the 1979 class. Maybe I knew your mom. What is her name? I'm assuming from her age that she was either 1978 or 1979
We went to MV when it was new.
January 21, 2013 at 7:58 AM
Celina, thanks for the family history, but no one cares.
January 21, 2013 at 10:02 AM
IGNORANT REMARK…. oh yeah, and no one cares about your thoughts or words…
January 21, 2013 at 2:51 PM
one man one voice u got it half right you have a voice but a man your not cant wait til the other half goes away also
January 21, 2013 at 8:24 AM
you don't have to be a total Ass!^ to some of us we spent most of our time in this cafeteria and ASB room! i was in cheer and ASB this cafeteria was our place. We also had most of our School Dances in this cafeteria. it is completely sad! Boddy Salcado was an ASB president his picture was on that wall filled with our ASB presidents from the past to present. if he was still here he would also be heartbroken with the rest of us..
c/o 2011
January 21, 2013 at 10:44 AM
^agreed
c/o 2011
January 21, 2013 at 9:16 AM
Thank Goodness its just a "ONE MAN ONE VOICE" that doesnt care cause the rest of us do care! I too was an ASB President acouple yrs after Bobby and it is very sad to hear of this fire. Good luck to MVHS i hope they are able to get bk on their feet soon.
January 21, 2013 at 10:06 AM
One man one voice is IGNORANT as heck! Let's call him ONE BOY BIG ASS.
January 21, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Oh yeah, btw… that's why he did not indicate his real name…. LAME ….
January 21, 2013 at 11:25 AM
Linda, are you a man, woman, or one of the newly created wo-man?
January 21, 2013 at 2:54 PM
i knew it you are not a man one voice how can you belittle a woman if you were not one yourself
January 21, 2013 at 10:57 AM
That would be your mother
January 21, 2013 at 11:30 AM
Very sad, wrestling practices used to be held there.
January 21, 2013 at 11:38 AM
C/O: 1996 here. Very sad but now there's a chance to update the cafeteria. Maybe less deep friers and more healthy eating stations and expanded seating. Booths would be fun.
January 21, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Only an idiot from CA would believe that a school cafeteria would have booths. You must be on your booze.
January 21, 2013 at 2:58 PM
one voice;pop your meds and put it on mute
January 21, 2013 at 12:05 PM
It truly is sad what happened there. I too was a class president at the school. I remember all the activities that took place there. A lot of good times due to dances and wrestling practice. Hopefully the students don't have to deal with this for a long time.
January 21, 2013 at 12:44 PM
Very sad when I heard the story. I graduated in 88 and so did most of my siblings. Hope everyone will come together to help get everything rebuilt once again.
January 21, 2013 at 3:43 PM
I to am devesated about the fire I graduated in 1981. and was involved with the music dept playing in the band for 4 yrs. Alot of alumnii have suggested that fundraisers should be held to help pay for it.
January 21, 2013 at 1:40 PM
this is very sad poor kids
January 21, 2013 at 1:47 PM
What are the kids and the principal going to do now about the student store. Also what would they do in school early in the morning?
January 21, 2013 at 3:15 PM
From NORCAL,I attended MVHS as a freshman, 29 years later I still smile when I think of the great times and people I was BLESED to encounter at MVHS.May your great spirit and strenght get you thru this to become a greater school than what you are already…. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!
January 21, 2013 at 3:22 PM
I second N.Cali. Taught there 32 years ago — best job i ever had. Great student body, great teachers.
January 21, 2013 at 5:55 PM
class of 2013 here; we just want to say that this is a very tragic moment for us we plan to support our principal, teachers, security, and all mountain view high school staff, also underclassmen, since we are the current seniors of MVHS we plan to stay strong and stay united as mature vikings throughout this whole situation. we love our school and we will get through this. MVHS VIKINGS CLASS OF 2013<3
January 21, 2013 at 7:04 PM
Its sad wat happened i use to go to that school nd graduated on 2000 nd three of my sisters thank god that every1 was ok nd wasnt at school. I hope everthings goes ok.