Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Virginia said a fire that damaged eight classrooms at a middle school was sparked when an escaped python knocked over a heat lamp.
The Forest Fire Department said crews responded to a 12:31 a.m. Thursday fire alarm at Forest Middle School and arrived to find the sprinkler system had been triggered.
The department said on social media that firefighters entered a classroom and "were greeted by an 8-foot python."
"Crews safely secured the python into a temporary holding area until the owner arrived and secured [it] back in its original location," the post said.
The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.
The Bedford County Fire Marshal's Office investigated the scene and determined the fire had been started when the python escaped its enclosure and knocked over a heat lamp.
Bedford County Public Schools said the eight classrooms damaged by fire and water will be temporarily closed for repairs. Officials said the damage will not delay the start of the school year, scheduled for Aug. 19.
Alternative locations for classes affected by the repairs will be found within the building.