According to a press release, the cause of a fire in the gymnasium at South Greene High School Thursday evening appears to be accidental in nature.
Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Alyssa Swagerty was alerted of the smoke coming from the building by someone that was at tennis practice on the tennis courts. She notified 911 Central Dispatch. Swagerty saw the smoke coming from the gymnasium area of South Greene around 7:00 PM.
Volunteers with South Greene, Camp Creek, and St. James Volunteer Fire Departments, along with firefighters with Greeneville Fire Department found heavy smoke and fire in the gymnasium of the school. The fire was contained around 7:20 PM. The Associate Principal of the school, Phillip Cutshaw, had to enter the building to unlock the gym doors for fire fighters.
South Greene Chief David Weems said it was a coordinated effort from all departments that kept the fire from spreading further and damaging more of the school. Weems said visibility in the gym was near zero when firefighters first entered the building.
According to a report from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the fire appeared to be at the entrance of the girls locker room. Chief Weems said the fire was contained and extinguished in the gym locker area. Ventilation fans were set up to help clear smoke from the area.
Director of Greene County Schools David McLain thanked the quick response by firefighters and closed South Greene High School today due to the extensive smoke damage in the school.
The Debusk Rehab unit, Greeneville Energy Authority, and EMS also responded to the scene.
Greene County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigators, with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, along with the Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Division were called to investigate the origin of the fire.
According to TBI Public Information Officer Leslie Earhart, the fire appears to be accidental in nature. However, she did also say the investigation remains active and ongoing.
