- Fire broke out in the structure towards the back of the new high school which is currently under construction.
- Located next to the old Doherty High School, which has been fully operational since the beginning of the building project last year.
- Caused by welding performed too close to a gas container which subsequently set some of the building material aflame, according to one of the workers.
Fortunately, most students and staff had already left for the day and construction crews were wrapping up what had been a typical workday until the fire incident.
From as far as 2 miles away, plumes of black smoke could be seen by students at nearby Middle and Elementary schools on West Boylston Street.
Traffic was backed up on Park Avenue for approximately 1.5 miles between Salisbury and Elm Streets while Worcester PD blocked parts of the road and directed cars.
Doherty Memorial High School Building Project on the Worcester Public Schools website outline the planning and budget process.