Quick Response Helps Limit Damage from Classroom Fire at Cider Mill [PHOTOS]

Town employees — from school custodians to Wilton firefighters and police officers — are being credited with helping to limit damage from an after-hours fire in a Cider Mill School classroom early Monday evening, May 6.

The Wilton Fire Marshal and building maintenance staff will work to determine exactly what caused the fire in an unoccupied classroom sometime shortly after 6 p.m.,, but according to Wilton Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Smith, the fire started when a fluorescent light fixture ballast caught fire.

“Custodians were cleaning the section and went into the classroom and opened the door and discovered the black smoke. They ran to pull the fire alarm and the fire department responded immediately,” Smith said.

According to a Wilton Police Department social media post, police officers were the first responders to arrive on scene. They “confirmed there was an active fire in the classroom, and made sure the building was evacuated.”

Wilton Fire Chief Jim Blanchfield said the fire crews found “active fire and smoke conditions” when they arrived.

Luckily the sprinkler system was activated so much of the actual damage to the classroom where the fire started and nearby rooms was water-related.

Officials said it could have been much worse, and the fire could have caused much more destruction if it wasn’t discovered so quickly by the custodians.

“Early detection by school staff as well as quick activation of the 911 system helped keep the damage caused by the fire in check,” Blanchfield said.

Three Wilton fire trucks were on scene and a fire crew from Norwalk also responded. Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps and EMT personnel also responded to the call.

No injuries were reported and school was in session on Tuesday morning, May 7.