Fort Smith (Sep 20/04) - A Fort Smith parent is worried about fire safety because of boarded-up windows at the town's high school.

Lucy Villebrun's concerns were prompted by a small fire at Paul William Kaeser High School on Sept. 13. She questions whether the boarded-up windows might hinder a fire evacuation.

Lucy Villebrun: Concerned about school safety. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

"I am really concerned about that," said Villebrun, who has two sons attending the school.

She raised the issue at a Sept. 14 public meeting on vandalism in the community.

The school windows were broken by vandals, replaced and broken again. They are boarded-up while the school awaits a video surveillance system, due to be installed within the next month.

Fort Smith fire Chief Darren Linaker said he has checked with the school and the Fire Marshal, and is satisfied the boarded-up windows do not present any danger.

"It's not a hazardous situation in any way to the students," Linaker said.

The school was evacuated safely during the Sept. 13 fire. The fire, believed to have been deliberately set, was doused by staff. Charges are expected to be laid soon against a suspect.

The school also has a sprinkler system.

About 10-15 windows are completely or partially boarded. The only room that has all windows boarded up is the library, although Principal Al Karasiuk said there are two exits from that room, one to the outside and the other to a hallway.