An 8-foot python that escaped its classroom enclosure sparked a fire at Forest Middle School in Virginia early Thursday morning, forcing emergency crews to evacuate the building and ultimately contain both the blaze and the snake.
Fire crews responding to the school shortly after midnight discovered the escaped python in one of the classrooms, where it had knocked over a heat lamp and ignited a fire that activated both the building's alarm and sprinkler system, according to fire officials. Firefighters captured the snake and secured it until its owner could retrieve it. No injuries were reported.
The incident caused damage to eight classrooms from flames and water, and school officials said those spaces will be temporarily closed for repairs. However, the disruption is not expected to delay the start of the academic year, scheduled for August 19.
Investigators determined that the python had escaped from its holding area before toppling the heating lamp, which ignited nearby materials and triggered the emergency response. The school said it is reviewing safety protocols for animals kept in classrooms.
