Three-alarm fire leaves 614 Milford students without school for five days

Lulu M. Ross Elementary School students will not receive in-person or remote instruction from Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30, following a three-alarm fire that heavily damaged the building. The Milford School District announced the closure as officials assess the structure and develop a plan for resuming classes.

The fire began in the Kent wing of the school early Sunday morning, Oct. 25. Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 4 a.m. when an automatic alarm activated. Upon arrival, crews found flames venting through the roof. They initially attempted to extinguish the fire from inside but evacuated due to deteriorating conditions. The incident escalated to three alarms, requiring resources from departments across the area. Crews controlled the blaze in approximately three hours. The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the origin was the Kent wing and reported no evidence of criminal activity. The cause remains under investigation.

The fire caused extensive damage to the Kent wing, the central lobby, administrative offices, and the library. Classrooms in the Kent and New Castle hallways were also heavily affected. No students or staff were inside the building at the time, and no injuries were reported. The state has not released a damage estimate. Fire crews returned to the site on Monday to continue investigative work.

The disruption extended to the neighboring Mispillion Elementary School. That campus closed on Monday because the fire damaged fiber-optic infrastructure serving both schools. The loss of internet and telephone service created safety concerns for district officials. Repair crews worked to restore service, and Mispillion remained closed only for that day. Other schools in the district operated on normal schedules.

Election officials moved a polling place for the Nov. 3 general election. Voters in Sussex County Election District 36-01, who typically vote at Lulu Ross, will now use Mispillion Elementary School at 311 Lovers Lane. The Delaware Department of Elections mailed notification letters to affected voters. Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Early voting continues through Nov. 1.

Lulu Ross enrolled 614 students during the 2025-26 school year. The district’s crisis response team is coordinating with state agencies and community organizations to support families and staff. Officials have not set a timetable for determining how much of the school can return to service. They have not announced plans for the week beginning Nov. 2. District personnel are asking the public to stay away from the property while investigations continue.