Long Lots Elementary School Evacuated After Small Fire Breaks Out: FD

WESTPORT, CT — Westport's Long Lots Elementary School was evacuated Wednesday after a police officer assigned to the school smelled and saw smoke in the school's auditorium, which led to the discovery of a small fire in one of the room's walls, according to fire officials.

No injuries were reported in the fire, which was discovered at about noon.

"The fire department responded with [four] engines, [one] ladder truck, the Safety Officer, and the Shift Commander," said Westport Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Gootman in a statement. "The first arriving unit found the school evacuated and a small fire burning in the wall of the auditorium. The police officer who found the location of the fire used a fire extinguisher to initially put out the fire. The fire department gained further access to the inside of the wall and extinguished the remaining fire."

The small fire was contained to a wall in the auditorium, and an investigation by the Fire Marshal's Office determined it was caused by an electrical short.

Students returned to class shortly before 1 p.m., but out of an abundance of caution, they were dismissed from school early at 1:15 p.m., according to Gootman.

"The quick actions of the police officer and execution of a well-practiced evacuation plan contributed to this successful operation," Gootman said.

In addition to Westport firefighters, members of the Fairfield Fire Department, the Westport Police Department, and Westport EMS also converged on the school to assist.