Fire causes evacuation, but no injuries at Mercer high school

MERCER — A small fire at Mercer Area High School caused the evacuation of students while firefighters cleared the building of smoke.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Gathers said a paper filter in an exhaust vent in a wood shop class caught fire. The fire was called in to the county 911 center at 9:32 a.m. today.

The shop teacher was able to stop the fire with an extinguisher, Gathers said, but there was a lot of smoke in the building.

Students were evacuated and bussed to Mercer Elementary School a few blocks away while firefighters inspected the building and cleared it of smoke with floor fans, he said.

School was back in session this afternoon, he said.