School Closes After Classroom Battery Fire
Spring Ridge Elementary in Elkhorn Public Schools cancels classes through Wednesday following a Saturday night fire in a Special Education classroom.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Primary Education
A lithium battery caught fire Saturday night in a Special Education classroom at Spring Ridge Elementary School, prompting class cancellations starting Monday and continuing through Wednesday. Minimal damage was sustained due to localized fire sprinklers, but smoke requires air quality treatment and testing before the school reopens.
Why it matters
The closure disrupts learning for the roughly 475 pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students enrolled at the school in west Omaha. Families in the Omaha area are reminded that lithium batteries can ignite in school settings, and the district's response shows how smoke remediation must be completed before reoccupying a building.
The school, opened in 2000, serves approximately 475 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and is part of Elkhorn Public Schools. Classes are canceled Monday through Wednesday, with the district stating that reopening depends on completed air quality treatment and testing.
The players
Spring Ridge Elementary School
A public elementary school opened in 2000 in west Omaha and part of the Elkhorn Public Schools district, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
Elkhorn Public Schools
The public school district that operates Spring Ridge Elementary and serves communities in the Omaha metropolitan area.
The details
A lithium battery caught fire Saturday night in the Special Education classroom at Spring Ridge Elementary, located at 17830 Shadow Ridge Drive. Principal Kelli Hayworth emailed parents that night, noting that localized fire sprinklers limited damage while smoke made air quality testing necessary.
Timeline
Saturday night: Lithium battery fire occurs in a Special Education classroom.
Monday: Class cancellations begin.
Wednesday: Class cancellations end, pending re-entry clearance.
Big Picture
Lithium-ion battery fires in classroom equipment have prompted schools to scrutinize the devices students and staff bring into buildings. This Elkhorn incident fits that pattern, showing how a single battery can force a school closure even when sprinklers contain the flames.
Families with children at Spring Ridge Elementary must plan for childcare alternatives while classes are canceled Monday through Wednesday. Parents should watch for the district's update on re-entry clearance before sending students back.
The takeaway
Schools depend on fast containment and thorough air testing after any fire, and parents benefit from following official district updates before students return. Checking that lithium devices are stored and charged safely at home reduces similar risks.
Further reading
For more on school safety and learning in the area, explore Primary Education coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Omaha World-Herald.
