A Poudre Fire Authority investigation has determined an overloaded multi-plug adapter overheated and caught fire, short-circuiting the Fossil Ridge High School homecoming dance and causing $1,500 in damage at the school.
Some students found the fire and reported it to their school resource officer. Authorities were alerted by a 911 call at 9:27 p.m., according to a press release.
Someone activated the fire alarm pull system, prompting the evacuation of people in the high school at 5400 Ziegler Road in Fort Collins.
When firefighters arrived they found that someone had put the fire out using a dry chemical fire extinguisher.
While that was happening, a student was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a medical issue unrelated to the fire, the release said.
Firefighters ventilated the gym and monitored the air to ensure it was safe for people to return. Students were allowed to return to the gym at 10:30 p.m. to gather their things, but the dance ended early and parents were notified.
