WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-Small fire in Asbury school sends students home early

Small fire in Asbury school sends students home early

By Barbara Czura – bio | email

ASBURY, Al. (WAFF) - Children will return to class Friday at a Marshall County school after a fire forced school leaders to close up early Thursday. 

The blaze occurred at Asbury Middle School near Albertville. Teachers said it started in the counselors office. A plant was placed too closed to a lamp, and when it overheated it caught fire. 

Marshall County Superintendent Tim Nabors said Friday should be back to normal with class as usual. 

Tracey Wigley is still shaken from what happened Thursday morning at the school, when she and another teacher put out the fire.

"It has to have been God telling us what to do because I don't know anything about a fire extinguisher," Wigley said.

Students were evacuated and later released from school at noon. Big fans were brought in the halls to help clear the smoke and smell while teachers cleared the office, wiping down books and furniture.

Less than a month ago, WAFF 48 News visited Asbury Middle during a mock fire drill. Ironically, Thursday's fire happened right across the hall from where the fake fire was demonstrated.

Principal Susan Collins said today's events could have been a lot worse, but last month's drill made things a lot easier.

"Nobody panicked, they just said we did this last month," Collins said. "Because we did the big drill with smoke in the halls. And it was really orderly and the kids did a fabulous job."

©2009 WAFF. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.