Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article, using info from the fire department, inaccurately reported that students were dismissed early. Students were let back into the school after firefighters ventilated the building.
A janitor at LoPresti Elementary School suffered smoke inhalation after extinguishing a paper towel dispenser fire at the school this morning.
Police and fire officials are investigating the fire, which started at about 11:40 a.m. in a third-floor boys’ bathroom.
School officials cleared the building, and let students back in once the smoke was cleared.
Seymour Fire Marshal Paul Wetowitz said the fire may be have been started by a student.
“It was of human origin,” Wetowitz said.
The janitor, who was not identified, put out the fire with an extinguisher. Ambulance crews treated the janitor for smoke inhalation at the scene and released him.
Volunteer firefighters ventilated the building.
There was heavy smoke damage on the third floor, in the bathroom and in a nearby closet and classroom, Wetowitz said. The areas will be professionally cleaned before students can return to the rooms.
