Published: August 15, 2008 04:08 pm      

Smoke at BHS draws help from around the county

BROWNSBURG — When a construction worker noticed smoke coming out of the roof of the south side of Brownsburg High School, 1000 S. Odell St., Friday morning, he called for help.

At about 10:35 a.m., firefighters from Brownsburg, Danville, Avon, Pittsboro, and Plainfield converged on the school to investigate. About an hour later, the building was cleared and people were allowed to re-enter.

Patrick Carmean, division chief of informational services for the Brownsburg Fire Territory, said a construction worker reported that he saw a light haze of smoke and smelled smoke.

When firefighters arrived, they were unable to locate a fire but did notice smoke coming from the second story near the front office.

“The construction workers were using a blow torch and cutting steel,” Carmean said. “We believe this could have caused the smoke and set off a sensor.”

A small number of teachers, staff, and administrators were setting up for the new school year and were evacuated from the building as firefighters investigated.

Donna Petraits, director of communications for the Brownsburg Community School Corporation, said school is not in session so there were no students in the building.

Carmean said there was no damage to the school and there were no injuries reported.

The construction, which has been ongoing for over a year, will continue. The first day of school for Brownsburg students is Aug. 20.



andrea.hirsch@flyergroup.com