Squirrel Starts Fire, Closes School In West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT — Carrigan Intermediate School will be closed on Friday, April 25 due to the installation of a new circuit breaker following a fire and power outage that was started by a squirrel on Thursday morning, according to school officials.

Officials said a squirrel came into contact with a power line, landing onto the school’s transformer and leading to a “small fire-related incident in an unused area of Carrigan Intermediate School.”

“The West Haven Fire Department responded promptly and the situation was quickly brought under control,” according to a message from West Haven Public Schools. “At no time was there any threat to the safety of students or staff.”

The school experienced a temporary power outage caused by a tripped breaker connected to the generator.

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Students and staff safely re-entered the building, but officials said the third floor remained out of power.

Officials said that “out of an abundance of caution” school was dismissed early at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.

“The breaker will be installed over the weekend, and we fully expect to return to classes on Monday, April 26th,” officials wrote in an update. “Thank you for your understanding.”