Fire at Columbus North HS ruled accidental

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) — Columbus North High School was evacuated Monday morning due to a fire in the Judson Erne Auditorium.

Fire crews with the Columbus Fire Department arrived at the school just before 8 a.m. Monday. School administrators used fire extinguishers to put out the fire.

The auditorium was filled with smoke and approximately 25 seats in the room were destroyed.

Investigators with CFD found that an overhead light bulb blew, causing the hot glass to come into contact with a plastic light cover. The cover then began to melt onto the fabric of the seats, causing the fire. The cause was ruled accidental.

A damage estimate was not made available but is believed to be “substantial.”