Norwich school closed after computer fire

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- Crews in Norwich are scrambling to get Kelly Middle School cleaned up after a computer caught fire and set off the sprinkler system, leaving heavy water damage.

The sprinkler system did what it was supposed to. It put the fire out quickly but in that short time the water also did a lot damage.

Armed with fans, mops, and buckets, industrial clean up crews work to dry out the water soaked school.

"I had water about up to here. Up to where it just kept riding up," said Norwich Superintendent Abby Dolliver.

Dolliver was called to Kelly Middle School early Monday morning after a computer in this science lab caught fire.

"It was off it but plugged in and we have all surge protectors," said Dolliver.

Dollliver says the fire set off two sprinkler heads keeping flames contained to this area but also unleashing thousands of gallons of water into the brand new wings of the newly renovated school.

The mess extended all the way down to these classrooms below. You can see right here there's water in these drawers and filling these sinks and it's really just a mess that's also because the ceiling tiles fell down as well.

The school will reopen Tuesday but this section will remain closed.

"We just have to relocate about 220 students from these two wings and two other places in the building," said Dolliver.

As for the mastery test set to start tomorrow, it's on for sixth and eighth graders but displaced seventh graders get a pass until Wednesday.

"The building's still here. There's only water damage not fire damage and no one got hurt and that's the biggest thing," said Dolliver.

Some of the mastery test booklets were damaged by the water but the superintendent tells News 8 they'll have whatever they need and they've been in contact with the state to make sure of that.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.