MIDDLETOWN – A fire that broke out Thursday morning in a construction area at Middletown High School was quickly contained, according to the district's superintendent.

The fire was reported shortly before 11 a.m., according to Middletown Unified School District Superintendent Korby Olson.

Olson said construction has been under way all year in the main wing of the high school, in what's referred to as “Building A.”

A number of skylights were moved by the contractor to the roof area in preparation for installation. Although they were still boxed, Olson said the skylights somehow acted as magnifying glasses and caused their cardboard boxes to catch on fire.

“We could see the smoke when we headed over there,” said Olson. “We thought it was in the old gym, which would not have been a good thing.”

Olson said the high school was evacuated and students waited while firefighters cleared the area. Within about 40 minutes students were back in classes.

He said there may some minor water damage resulting from firefighting efforts, with some patching on the roofs also needed.

The worst thing, potentially, is a potential delay in the construction project, which Olson said is supposed to be completed July 15.

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