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Fitchburg school closed for week after asbestos found in damaged ceiling tiles

(File photo)

FITCHBURG, Mass. — An elementary school in Fitchburg has been closed for the week after asbestos was found in ceiling tiles damaged by a water leak over the holiday vacation.

Superintendent Andre Ravenelle released a statement early Monday morning announcing Crocker Elementary School would be closed January 2-5.

“We are working with the appropriate agencies and licensed experts to remediate the damage and ensure Crocker continues to be a safe, healthy environment for students, parents, educators and staff.

Parents were assured no students were affected by the incident.

The decision to close the school for the week was made “after much deliberation and in an abundance of caution for all involved.”

Crews will now work to clean the school before it’s reopened next week.

“This will include thorough testing in all areas and confirmation from all required agencies that the building is safe for our school community,” Ravenelle said.

He said the cancellation of classes would allow for proper planning of the temporary relocation of students and staff, and details of those plans would come from the superintendent’s office.