Students and staff evacuated the school for approximately 40 minutes Thursday, Jan. 9 after an unexpected fire alarm sounded due to a sensor malfunction. After staff and students re-entered the building the fire alarm exit message continued to scroll across the intercom monitors, while the system was tested throughout the afternoon and the next day and later resolved.

“The Fire Alarm was actually caused by a faulty sensor in the fire system which was subsequently addressed,” said Vice Principal Steven Jablonski.

The fire alarm was activated during the eighth period of the day at approximately 12:10 p.m. on Jan. 8. Initial reactions following the sound were hesitant, due to there having already been a fire drill earlier in the day. However, when administration came on and announced that this was not a drill, students along with staff, quickly exited the building.

The police and fire departments quickly responded to the situation in approximately five minutes after the alarm began to sound.

Once safely outside, students shared their varying perspectives and speculations as the incident unfolded. 

“I’m not scared. I feel okay,” senior Deanna Itsbitski said. I am worried that my car keys will burn inside, but I did have a Spanish test and now it should be getting exempt so that’s what matters,” she said.

Another senior, Addison Whitney said, “Right now we’re pretty calm, relaxed, we don’t know what’s going on. I’m on the 200s side. Maybe it’s in the science hallways, I dont know.”

Although nerves ranged from calm to mild worry to panic in students, it was clear that they mostly felt unprepared due to their missing belongings that had been left behind inside. Whether it was keys, phones, jackets, or even school work students expressed regret in not grabbing their left-behind possessions. Especially missed during the occurrence, many students shared their discontent with the separation from their  phones.

“My phone is inside right now so I miss my phone,” Junior Arissa Ehsan stated. She explained that since her class is in the 100s, any suspected fire in the Science wing would not be nearby. “It didn’t smell like anything, so it must be kind of far,” she said.

Several students questioned why some students were not allowed to retrieve their phones from the storage pockets. “We had a whole minute to get our phones, but our teachers  said it was a drill,” Matteo Pinto said.   “But this is actually real and we couldn’t get our phones, so now they’re trapped in the building,” he said.

“I’m upset,” Senior Naomi Medina said. “Why are they training us not to bring our stuff. It’s not like they’re going to get me a new phone or new keys for my car if something actually happens,” Medina said.

Another seniors Emily Stuart also voiced  regret in not grabbing her phone and lamented not bringing other objects. “I just want my textbook,” Stuart said. “I know I sound crazy, but I spent money on that, and also spent my time annotating it, and you can’t pay back time.” 

The reason as to why so many students evacuated without their devices can be traced back to a policy delineated in the student handbook, which reads, “Cell phones are NOT to be accessible to students in any class during the class period. Each classroom has a dedicated holder for cell phones. This includes restroom access or any time the student leaves the room during the class period.Violations of the cell phone policy will result progressive disciplinary consequences. Failure to surrender a device upon request of a staff member is considered an act of insubordination and will result in Saturday detention, although stronger consequences may be assigned depending upon the nature of the incident itself. Repeat offenses will result in additional disciplinary consequences.”

After approximately 39 minutes students and staff returned inside as police exited and determined that it was safe to reenter the building. Principal Jeffrey DiLollo stated over the announcements that eighth period would be extended an extra 20 minutes making it end at 1:25, he then sent out an email regarding the schedule for the remainder of the day. The ninth period was pushed back from 1:30-1:55, making the tenth period then take place from 2:00-2:25 pm. 

He also sent the following message to parents and guardians:

“HHS Parents / Guardians,

At approximately 12:10 PM, Hillsborough High School experienced an unexpected fire alarm. At that time, the building was evacuated in an efficient and cooperative nature. Hillsborough Fire and Emergency services promptly responded and cleared the building for return.

Students have returned to class on a modified schedule.”

Even afterwards the shock lingered along with theories as to what may have happened. 

A senior student who wished to remain anonymous said, “I’m not saying that this was the cause, but APES class was doing a lab this morning involving setting food on fire.”

Administration later came on during the beginning of period 10 letting staff know that the fire alarm systems were malfunctioning, and there was no present danger at the moment. It was later determined that no fire had actually occurred. 

Further details will be shared as they become available.