At approximately 10:15 a.m., a student in the Introduction to Cabinetry course alerted the teacher and the rest of the class that there was a fire in the paint booth of the Spray Room in the wood shop. The teacher directed a student to pull the fire alarm, used fire extinguishers to douse the flame in the immediate area and ordered the 21 students in the class to evacuate. Sussex and Lisbon Fire Departments arrived.
With activation of the fire alarm, the entire school was evacuated and approximately 1,200 students and 120 staff members walked across the athletic field in an orderly manner to Templeton Middle School. The high school students were directed to Templeton’s two gymnasiums where school staff reported that students were well-behaved and responded in a cooperative manner.
The fire was contained to the paint booth within the Spray Room and ducts that lead to the roof. The flames in the booth had been put out with fire extinguishers, and fire department personnel extinguished flames in the ductwork from the roof. The sprinkler system in the Spray Room activated as well.
The fire department declared the area all clear at approximately 11 a.m. Students and staff returned to school and the regular schedule resumed.
No injuries were reported, however the teacher who extinguished the immediate fire went to the hospital as a precaution to ensure there was no smoke inhalation. There was no structural damage to the room and the area had only minor water damage due to the sprinkler system. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
School officials said they grateful for the conscientious manner in which students and staff responded to the situation.
“The safety and well-being of all at Hamilton High School remained our top priority at all times,” Hamilton Principal David Furrer said.