Wyoming Grass Fire Forces School Evacuation

Sept. 20, 2005
A wind-driven grass fire forced the evacuation of an elementary school but was quickly contained by firefighters Tuesday and caused no major damage.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) -- A wind-driven grass fire forced the evacuation of an elementary school but was quickly contained by firefighters Tuesday and caused no major damage.

The fire was started accidentally at 1:10 p.m. by a welding crew working on a radio tower along Wyoming 223 just south of Cheyenne, according to Laramie County Sheriff's Department spokesman Gerry Luce.

No one was hurt and only a small electrical shed was damaged, Luce said.

The 452 students and 65 teachers and staff at the nearby Afflerbach Elementary School were evacuated as a precaution, but the fire did not reach the school, he said.

Fire units from Laramie County, Cheyenne and the Wyoming Air National Guard responded to the fire and contained it in less than three hours.

The size of the fire was not immediately available.

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