FULSHEAR, Texas (KTRK) — A water pipe burst on Thursday morning at Fulshear High School, resulting in a massive leak that disrupted the school day and caused alarm among students and parents. A video circulating on social media appeared to show what looked like feces floating on the water-soaked ground, prompting a swift response from Lamar CISD.
The Incident
The burst occurred in the 1300 hallway of the school around 10 a.m., affecting approximately 12 classrooms. The district placed the campus on a temporary hold while the issue was addressed. Lucas Smith, a junior who was in one of the affected classrooms, described the scene:
“The girl in front of me says, ‘What the heck?’ and she looks up. I look up. We see water kind of dripping from the ceiling. Next thing you know, five seconds later, water starts pouring even faster. So I grab my backpack, sprint out the door, leave my notebook, and everything there. Then water just starts pouring out of the ceilings, and everybody’s just freaking out,” Smith recounted.
Smith later captured footage of debris floating on the water, which, along with a foul smell, led some to believe it was sewage.
Parent and Student Reactions
Students and parents expressed frustration and concern about the incident. One parent, who asked to remain anonymous, stated:
“My child has friends who were in classes where the incident happened, and they were crying because they were drenched and they weren’t able to leave.”
Smith also described the smell, comparing it to the local sewage plant, a well-known odor to Fulshear residents. Read more.
District Response
Lamar CISD released a statement to address the concerns raised by the video and clarify the nature of the incident. According to the district:
- The pipe involved carries domestic water, not sewage.
- The materials seen in the video, which appeared to resemble feces, were likely insulation, construction materials, or ceiling tiles that became saturated and disintegrated when wet.
- The district acknowledged the misleading appearance of the debris and emphasized its commitment to ensuring cleanliness and safety in the affected areas.
“I understand the concerns raised by the footage. … It is important to note that this pipe is not connected to the sewage system and does not carry waste water. The materials seen in the video … could actually be insulation, construction materials, and ceiling tiles,” the district spokesperson explained.
Cleanup and Moving Forward
Lamar CISD assured parents, students, and staff that it is handling the situation with the utmost seriousness. Efforts are underway to clean and sanitize the affected areas to prevent any potential health hazards. Learn more.
The incident highlights the challenges schools face when managing infrastructure issues, especially those that can lead to alarming misconceptions. The district has committed to transparency and prompt communication as it resolves the issue.
