MADI KIRKMAN

The News & Advance, Lynchburg, Va.

(TNS)

A fire at Forest Middle School early Thursday morning, which resulted in the temporary closure of eight classrooms, was caused by an escaped snake that knocked over a heat lamp.

Firefighters from the Forest Fire Department received a fire alarm from the school at 12:31 a.m., Bedford County Fire & Rescue said in a news release, and arrived at 12:45 a.m. to find water flowing from the second floor, fire visible on the second floor and smoke coming from second-floor windows.

Bedford County Public Schools said the fire occurred in a room at FMS at about 12:30 a.m., which activated the building’s sprinkler system.

Although smoke and water damage have closed eight east wing classrooms in the building while crews clean and repair the affected areas, the division said this will not affect the first day of school.

“Alternate locations within FMS for impacted areas will be assigned, if needed,” BCPS said in a news release Thursday morning. “We are working to ensure a safe and smooth start for students and staff. We are grateful to the first responders for their quick response and for helping keep our school and community safe.”

Bedford County Fire & Rescue, Forest Fire Department, Lynchburg Fire Department, and Bedford County Sheriff’s Office responded immediately, the division said, and Bedford County Fire & Rescue is currently investigating the incident.

“At 00:45, Engine 51, Tower Ladder 5 responded to Forest Middle School for a reported fire alarm. E51 arrived to find water flowing from the second floor, fire visible on the second floor and smoke visible in the windows …,” the Forest Fire Department and Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue said in a joint social media post Thursday morning. “The Engine secured water supply and began gaining entry as the TL arrived and stretched a 200-foot pre-connect and used a 100-foot high-rise pack to make the fire room.”

The post said that as crews began entering the second floor, they encountered heavy smoke throughout.

"Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and safely returned the snake to a temporary enclosure," according to a Bedford County news release. "They then performed overhaul operations inside the building to check for any remaining hot spots and ensure there were no additional fire hazards."

Responding crews shut down the sprinkler system, the post said, and with smoke on the first and second floors in two wings of the school, additional ventilation fans were required.

“The Bedford County Schools Division is on scene and has clean-up contractors responding and has a plan to relocate the classroom to another section of the school if needed,” the post said. “Eight classrooms have water damage. The Bedford County Fire Investigator is handling the investigation.”

© 2026 The News & Advance, Lynchburg, Va.. Visit www.newsadvance.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.