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New Milford High School on Wednesday morning after a fire at the school on Tuesday afternoon. July 6, 2022, New Milford, Conn.

Firefighters inspect the damaged roof at New Milford High School after Tuesday’s fire.

A hallway at New Milford High School sustained water damage after Tuesday’s roof fire.

New Milford High School on Wednesday morning after a fire at the school on Tuesday afternoon. July 6, 2022, New Milford, Conn.

NEW MILFORD — Authorities returned to New Milford High School on Wednesday morning to assess the damages from Tuesday’s substantial roof fire that left several inches of water inside the building and led six firefighters to suffer from smoke inhalation.

“The fire marshal’s office is here today to document the entire building and continue with the investigation,” Fire Marshal Kevin Reynolds said Wednesday. He was on-site with other first responders and town officials.

Six firefighters were sent to a local hospital and were treated and released Tuesday night, Reynolds said. “They had minor injuries,” he added.

More than 100 people were involved bringing the fire under control, including units from Water Witch Hose Company #2, Gaylordsville Fire, Northville Fire, Brookfield Fire, Danbury Fire Department, Wooster Engine, Water Witch Company #7, Sherman Fire, Litchfield County Coordinators, Washington Fire, Newtown Hook and Ladder, Bantam Fire, and Battalion 19, according to a social media post from Water Witch Hose Company #2, one of New Milford’s fire departments.

The first units to arriving after 2:10 p.m. saw smoke and flames from the roof area to the interior of the building, according to Water Witch. The fire was under control by around 5:40 p.m..

This is the second fire at the school since December and took place while the school was undergoing roof construction for a $4.76 million project. In that fire, students were forced to evacuate and school was canceled the next day.

At the time, the fire marshal said workers on the roof were using a torch when some fiberglass insulation caught on fire and spread to the plywood underlay. Reynolds is still investigating the cause of the latest fire, which forced the district to move summer school programs.

The school is using the same roofing company as it did when the earlier fire took place — United Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. in Brookfield.

When reached Wednesday afternoon, the company acknowledged it’s involved with the New Milford High School fire, and an official said they were unavailable to speak at this time.

On Wednesday, the roofing crew used tarps to cover a 40-inch by 60-inch hole to prevent rain from coming in, Reynolds said.

“The fire department had to cut sections of the roof open so the roofing company can actually repair the entire roof where the fire occurred,” he said.

He added they would to try to cover the hole Wednesday.

“Me and my crew are documenting the building and the restoration company is working and the roofers are working, so it’s a very busy place here today,” Reynolds said. “There is a lot of damage here.”

He added he can’t speculate when the building will be able to be safely occupied, nor on the cause of the fire.

“It’s still under investigation so I can’t give you something specific,” he said.

Schools Superintendent Alisha DiCorpo said Wednesday she’s unsure of the cost of the damage to the school.

“The building is currently being evaluated by the fire marshal and the remediation company. The insurance company has been notified and as details emerge regarding what items need to be replaced, and remediation costs, we will begin to capture those costs,” she said.

She added the school district will work closely with New Milford Public Works Director Jack Healy and the town. Shesaid she is unsure when the school can be occupied.

“As the investigation and remediation unfold, we will learn more,” she said.

All summer programs scheduled at the high school will be moved to other locations. The goal is to begin the Credit Recovery, Extended School Year and Summer Bridge programs, attended by about 360 students, on Monday.

In a letter sent to parents Wednesday afternoon, DiCorpo wrote the start date depends on several factors such as the availability of air conditioning at Schaghticoke Middle School and at Northville Elementary School.

“We are also ordering curriculum and instructional materials and all other items necessary for the programs to start today,” DiCorpo wrote. “Once we obtain the items, we can begin.”