Houston High School Evacuated Following Explosion On Campus, One Student Expelled

One student was expelled in connection with a blast at Houston’s Klein Forest High School which led to a mass evacuation.

One unidentified male student, who was detained on suspicion of igniting a firework that caused the blast, was later expelled, Klein Independent School District, said. He was facing criminal charges.

The explosion occurred at the school’s cafeteria Tuesday 1 p.m. EST after someone lit a firework. Authorities from the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office responded to the scene and evacuated at least 4,000 people. They said four people were injured but no one was taken to hospital because the injuries were minor, ABC News reported. Officials said the injuries may have resulted from either the firework or the panic that ensued.

"They popped the fireworks right in front of me," witness Tiffany Doiron, told ABC 13.

The accused allegedly brought the firework in a container in his backpack. "It is a known fact that fireworks cannot be brought to a school," Laurie Christensen, Harris County Fire Marshal, said. Authorities believe there may be more students responsible for the blast.

The school was called off for the day Tuesday and so were the after-school activities. Bomb detection dogs were scrambled to the campus as a precaution. There will be extra officers and counselors assigned on campus until the weekends.

“The safety of our students and staff is always a top priority in Klein ISD. We encourage all of our students and staff to be vigilant and proactive,” Klein Independent School District said in a statement.