Milford families in 'shock' one day after fire devastated school: Recap

Students, families and the Milford community started this week with two of their elementary schools closed.

Lulu M. Ross Elementary School was heavily damaged by a fire early in the morning on Sunday, Oct. 25, while the same blaze damaged phone and internet lines at neighboring Mispillion Elementary. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it spread to the lobby, library and front office areas of the school, where it brought "significant" damage, according to the school district.

Fixes for Mispillion's lesser damage are in the works, the district said , though the schools shared a campus and "significant amount of resources." Monday began with no remote or in-person learning for Mispillion students, as previously reported , while there is likely be no remote or in-person instruction for Ross students for the rest of the week, at least.

Area churches, daycares and more have opened their doors to these young students, as district crisis teams continue to plan " short- and long-term " responses for staff and students at Ross.

"Thank you for wrapping your arms around our students, staff and families when it matters most," the district posted online late Sunday. "We will continue to provide updates and share specific ways our community can help as plans develop in the coming days."

Delaware Online/The News Journal reporters looked to bring more updates on this aftermath the day after the fire. Here's a recap.

Have a story to share? Reach out: kepowers@usatodayco.com.

Earlier alarms not linked to fire, district says

02:38 PM ET, October 26 2026, Shannon Marvel McNaught

About a week before the fire, on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, two fire alarms were triggered at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School, according to Milford School District spokesperson Trish Gerken.

Both alarms were investigated and the alarm system was serviced, she added. A message was sent to student families saying as much.

"Based on what we know and the preliminary investigation, we don't believe the incidents to be related," Gerken said. "The fire sensors that triggered yesterday's alarm were located in a different hallway."

'My school is gone'

02:21 PM ET, October 26 2026, Kelly Powers and Shannon Marvel McNaught

Mila isn't used to starting her morning, or week, without Ross Elementary.  

"I'm really sad because I'm used to going to school like every, every Monday morning," the fourth-grader said over the phone, getting a little worked up behind her words. "And now my school is gone." 

Her mom, Liz Schandelmeier, was also on speakerphone Oct. 26 and hopped in.  

"Yeah, she's not happy to be out of her routine," Schandelmeier said next to her kids, speaking the morning after a devastating fire ripped through their Lulu M. Ross Elementary School. 

"Yesterday was a lot of shock," she continued, with her second-grader also beside her. "And today, they're asking me questions and you know asking for answers – and nobody knows them yet." 

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but families like this one have seen videos and photos showing the blaze spread to the library, the office and more areas of the Milford school. They've been told to expect no school this week, but a clear plan for continued education is yet to come. 

Ross feels like the elementary school everyone went to, Schandelmeier said. Several teachers went there, several of their neighbors, while many in the community have their own tethers.  

Ross first opened in 1957 with just 12 classrooms. In state data from last year , it served more than 600 students from second to fourth grades. And overall the school on Lovers Lane also served higher rates of students learning English, those coming from lower-income backgrounds, as well as students with disabilities than the statewide average. 

Veronica Hovan is another fourth-grader at Ross. Her family said she'll be spending the week in the care of various family members. 

"It just made me really sad," Hovan said. "Because (the building) is so old and my mom and my uncle went there, too." 

Back at her house, even Mila agreed it was a "really old school." She described fire alarm issues the week before and videos of how flames damaged hallways and the library she loves in particular. Now, she won't get to spend her last year there. 

"I would want to know what actually happened at that kind of time," Mila said of the early morning fire. 

Schandelmeier said she's fortunate to be home with the kids, but she worries for parents who must be at work this week. And most of all, the mom wants to know her children will still get a strong education amid tragedy.  

Later that afternoon, another family drove by the gutted school on Monday.

Amy Jones was driving her son Hutson home from Surf Bagel, trying to make the most of a heavy morning. As they passed broken windows and a quiet scene, Jones said it all still seems "surreal."  

The Delaware native has raised three kids in Milford schools, though now her youngest can't finish that tradition in fourth grade. Jones has volunteered with the Parent-Teacher Partnership for about eight years, while now serving as president.  

The school is a "home away from home" for the family, just three miles from the house. Jones is used to popping in with zucchini muffins for teacher appreciation, the latest proceeds from a Walk-A-Thon, and much more. Now, she's shaken – but still described confidence this community will rally.

Hutson said he was just feeling confused for now: "Like, I don't really know what to do next."

Class pet found dead

01:58 PM ET, October 26 2026, Shannon Marvel McNaught

A dead hamster was found inside the school after the fire by the Kent County Department of Public Safety's Community Emergency Response Team, department Chief John Tinger said.

Tinger said it was not known how the hamster died.

Other groups may have found additional pets in the building, he said.

Elementary school classrooms often keep small animals, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, fish or lizards, as class pets.

Community rallies around school, staff, students

11:30 AM ET, October 26 2026, Shannon Marvel McNaught

Businesses, nonprofits and other groups are stepping up to help after the fire at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford. Here's what we know so far.

• Reformation Lutheran Church at 613 Lakeview Ave. in Milford is offering assistance to the Milford School District, according to a Facebook post. The church's Kids Inc. daycare is open during school hours for Ross families, according to the post.

• Diamond State Dentistry at 215 W. Liberty Way in Milford is collecting school supplies, "from pencils, crayons, notebooks, folders, classroom essentials and other supplies," a Facebook post said.

• Black Sheep restaurant, located at 27 S. Walnut St. in Milford, will donate 15% of sales made during the Oct. 30 Halloween Pub Crawl to the school, a Facebook post said. The restaurant will also have a collection box for monetary donations and a bin for nonperishable food items to help support children who depend on school breakfast and lunch, the post said.

• Sandhill Fields in Georgetown is collecting school supplies and snacks for Ross students, a Facebook post said. Snacks should be individually packed and non-perishable. Items can be left in the donation box next to the main office at 20330 Sandhill Rd.

Delaware lawmakers react to fire

11:11 AM ET, October 26 2026, Shannon Marvel McNaught

U.S. Sen. Chris Coons:

"I'm deeply concerned by the fire that caused significant damage to Lulu Ross Elementary and know how difficult this is for the students, families, educators, and entire community. I'm grateful to the firefighters and first responders who worked to contain the blaze. I'm keeping everyone affected in my thoughts and will be staying in touch with local officials as they assess the damage and determine the path forward.

U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester:

"My heart is with the students, educators, and families grappling with the loss of their beloved school. Though the fire caused great devastation, the spirit of community endures. As a state of neighbors, we will stand together to uplift Milford in the road ahead."

U.S. Congresswoman Sarah McBride:

"Terrible news. I'm glad no one was injured and am grateful for the swift response from our first responders. Thinking of the Lulu Ross community as they look to recover and rebuild."

Gov. Matt Meyer

"I'm saddened by this morning's fire at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford. A school is the heart of a community, and I know this loss is hard for the students, families and educators who fill those halls every day. As Delawareans, we share that sense of loss with you.

"We are grateful to the firefighters and emergency crews who responded quickly, and I am relieved that no civilians or firefighters were hurt.

"The State of Delaware is working directly with the Milford School District leadership to help them navigate the days ahead. Our immediate priority is supporting the district as it makes alternate arrangements, communicates with families and plans for a safe return to learning.

"To the Milford community: You are not facing this alone. We will be there to help you through the immediate challenges and the work of recovery. In the coming days, families and staff should look to the district for updates and next steps."

State Rep. Bryan Shupe

State Sen. Dave Wilson

"Like so many in the Milford community, I am heartbroken by the devastating fire at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School early Sunday morning. While I am incredibly thankful that no one was injured, my heart goes out to the students, educators, staff, and families whose lives have been turned upside down.

"I want the families and school employees to know that I stand ready to help in any way I can. I have spoken with Governor Meyer about the situation, and I appreciate his attention to the needs of the Milford community during this time. I will work with Milford School District leadership, state officials, and my fellow legislators to help identify both immediate solutions and a long-term plan that gets our children back into classrooms and provides the stability they deserve.

"I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to the firefighters and first responders who worked tirelessly to contain the fire and prevent even further damage.

"Milford is a strong, close-knit community, and I've seen time and again what we can accomplish when we come together. Now is one of those times. I encourage our neighbors, businesses, churches, and community groups to rally around the school's family as we begin the road to recovery."

Ross Elementary voters' polling place moved

11:05 AM ET, October 26 2026, Shannon Marvel McNaught

Lulu M. Ross Elementary School was a designated polling place, with the general election set for Nov. 3.

The Department of Elections has announced election district 36-01 residents will now vote at Mispillion Elementary School, located at 311 Lovers Ln. and right next door to Ross.

Early voting can be done at any early voting site in the resident's county. Learn more about the election here.

What we know about the Lulu M. Ross Elementary School fire in Milford

10:40 AM ET, October 26 2026, Shane Brennan and Patricia Talorico

What happened?

A devastating three-alarm fire broke out early Sunday, Oct. 25, at Milford's nearly 70-year-old Lulu M. Ross Elementary School.

Investigators said the fire originated in the building's Kent wing. The blaze tore through the roof of the school and took three hours to get under control.

When was this?

The fire was first called in around 4 a.m. Arriving emergency crews saw fire through the roof. It took about three hours to get the fire under control. 

Was anyone injured?

There are no reports of injuries.

Will it reopen?

There is no in-person or remote class for students of Lulu M. Ross Elementary from Oct. 26 through Oct. 30, according to an announcement from Milford School District Superintendent Travis Moorman on Oct. 25. There is also no in-person or remote class for students at the nearby Mispillion Elementary School because the fire knocked out fiberoptic connectivity.

Moorman said in another Oct. 25 announcement that the schools, which are about a little more than a football field apart from each other, share many resources.

The Milford School District crisis team is meeting throughout the week to discuss long-term responses to the fire and the heavy damaged it caused.

What caused the fire?

The Delaware State Fire Marshal's office said investigators determined that the fire originated in the school's Kent wing. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, and it could be a while before the state fire marshal's office has the answer.

"With the extent of damage sustained to the building, it could take a few days to a few months," Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Brian Schad said in a statement to Delaware Online/The News Journal. "We are working to get it resolved as fast as we can."

How many students attend the school?

In state data from last school year, Ross served about 614 students . It now serves students from second to fourth grade.

How old is Lulu M. Ross Elementary School?

Ross Elementary School opened in 1957. The School opened with only 12 classrooms. The remaining 12 classrooms from the original design were added in 1958. It now has 34 classrooms.

Who is the school named for?

The school was named after Lulu M. Ross, a first-grade teacher who taught in the Milford School District for 50 years (1898-1950). Ross once taught former Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, who was a student at the school.

This post was updated with the latest student count available from 2025.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Milford families in 'shock' one day after fire devastated school: Recap