'Mishandled' Computer Catches Fire At Greenwich High School

GREENWICH, CT — Students at Greenwich High School were evacuated Wednesday afternoon after a computer caught fire, school officials said. The school's interim headmaster, Ralph Mayo, said in a letter sent to parents that a Chromebook laptop started to smoke, then flamed after "being handled inappropriately by several students" at lunchtime, around 12:30 p.m.

The flames were extinguished within 10 seconds and the fire alarm was pulled to ensure everyone's safety, Mayo said. Greenwich firefighters and police responded and took control of the device.

All students were evacuated from the school's student center, its five houses and media center for a short period of time, Mayo said. Fire officials later allowed them to re-enter the building.

Lt. John Slusarz said the evacuation lasted for approximately 20 minutes, long enough to "ensure the safety of everyone inside."

Fire officials and school resource officers are investigating the cause of the fire to determine if it was accidental, Slusarz said.