Fire forces classes to be cancelled at Waterford Union High School

RACINE COUNTY (WITI) -- Waterford Union High School was closed on Monday, April 15th due to a small fire that broke out in the building early in the morning.

According to Racine County officials, a Sheriff's deputy spotted flashing lights from an alarm around 5 a.m. while conducting crime prevention around the school grounds.

The deputy was able to make entry with staff and observed smoke in the practice gym and fire on one of the walls.

Fire units responded to the scene and were able to extinguish the fire.

"It was a relatively small fire, once we got in and discovered. Because of the material that is in the practice room -- foam, wrestling pads, foam on walls, netting for batting cage, we decided to put a second alarm, to get more personnel here," Waterford Fire Chief  Rick Huening said.

A half a dozen departments responded, including Rochester, Tichigan, Kansasville and Burlington.

Damage was limited to a gym wall and a room next door, but smoke forced school officials to cancel class.

"Students and staff are not reporting today.  We want to make sure the building is free of smoke and those things," said Waterford Superintendent Keith Brandstetter.

"I just found out from a lot of other friends, getting text messages and stuff," said high school sophomore Adam Dewane, who drove past the school to see what had happened.

"I was kind of worried at first because I didn't know how bad it was.  Kind of happy we don't have school now that I found out it wasn't that bad," he said.

Classes will resume Tuesday for both students and staff.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, however, no foul play was suspected.