Westport Fire Department Press Release:

A police officer who was assigned to Long Lots Elementary School was alerted to an odor of smoke in the schools auditorium.  Upon seeing smoke, the officer activated the fire alarm to evacuate the school and requested the fire department respond.  

The fire department responded with 4 engines, 1 ladder truck, the Safety Officer, and the Shift Commander.  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.  An investigation into the cause of the fire was conducted by the Westport Fire Marshal’s Office. It was determined the fire was caused by an electrical short.  

The school was re-occupied by student’s shortly before 1pm. Out of an abundance of caution students were dismissed at 1:15pm for the remainder of the school day.