Smoke coming from televisions and VCRs led to the evacuation of Winfield’s Whittier Elementary school Friday afternoon, school district officials said.
Students fled the school in single file lines around 2:20 p.m., when a fire alarm was sounded in the building, principal Bill Pittman said. No fire was was found and students were allowed back inside to collect their things once power to the school was cut off.
District officials believe a power surge caused some electronic equipment in the school to begin smoking.
Students were dismissed at their regular time, though some were allowed to leave earlier as their parents arrived. The evacuation appeared to unfold in an orderly fashion.
Officials with the city of Winfield were to check the electrical supply to the building as an investigation into the problem got underway. School is expected to resume as planned Monday.
Superintendent Marvin Estes said that he would like to commend the staff and students for following their evacuation procedures quickly and efficiently and also to thank the Winfield Fire Department for their immediate response.
