Locker Fire At Berry Middle School: Investigation Underway

HOOVER, AL — A fire in a locker at Berry Middle School in Hoover Friday morning is under investigation. Students were evacuated from the building during the incident, but no injuries were reported.

Smoke and fire were discovered inside of a hallway on the third floor of the school around 9 a.m., and students were evacuated and sent to the nearby Spain Park football stadium as a precaution.

Hoover Fire and Rescue responded to the scene, and the fire had already been extinguished by an employee using a fire extinguisher.

The preliminary investigation shows the fire was contained to one locker. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Hoover school officials said the fire is not believed to have been started intentionally and may have originated from a battery. A small section where the fire started has been blocked off to keep the area clear of traffic while the investigation continues.

Hoover Fire and Rescue assessed each floor of the building and eventually determined the building was safe and cleared for students to return. The area immediately surrounding the involved lockers remains closed off, and those students have been relocated to other areas of the building. By 11:01 a.m., learning had resumed for all students in the school.

"We appreciate Berry Middle School student body, administrators, and staff for appropriately and calmly following emergency procedures as this situation unfolded and we are grateful that this was handled quickly in order for the school to resume normal activities," Hoover City Schools said in a statement Friday. "Berry Middle School and district leadership are thankful for the quick response from the city of Hoover emergency crews, which assisted greatly in achieving our number one priority; ensuring the safety of students and staff."