A sprinkler system inside a Columbus North High School science classroom was activated Wednesday, leading to a school-wide evacuation of the building.
A science experiment was being conducted in the second floor chemistry classroom at 11:24 a.m. when the sprinkler system activated. No fire was present, said Columbus Fire Department spokesman Capt. Mike Wilson.
All students and staff are safe were back in the building within an hour of the incident, said Josh Burnett, spokesman for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.
Using a tool specifically designed for sprinkler heads, firefighters were able to stop the flow of water shortly after arrival in the classroom. A significant amount of water was released inside the classroom before the water flow was stopped, Wilson said.
The water accumulation flooded the classroom floor and hallway, and also flooded the classroom directly underneath the chemistry room. No damage estimates were provided by firefighters at the scene.
