Fire crews were called to Ben Johnson Elementary School around 8:20 A.M. CDT Thursday (10/01) after staff noticed a smell of smoke in the cafeteria area of the building. Upon investigation of school staff, it was determined that an electric oven was where the smell was coming from. The sprinkler and fire alarms active, when the staff opened the door of the oven.
Students were evacuated about fifteen minutes as fire crews evaluated the situation, according to Breckinridge County Superintendent Janet Meeks. She said all classes and activities returned to normal within a half hour of the fire alarm.
McDaniels Fire Department Fire Chief David Poole said that an electric motor in the oven shorted out causing the smoke. Fire crews worked with school staff to clean up water and air out the building. No injuries were reported.