Officials: Science Room Heat Lamp Cause Of Dover School Fire

The state fire marshal's office says a heat lamp for reptiles caused a fire that destroyed a central Oklahoma high school, the Associated Press reports.

Dover High School caught fire early Tuesday.

Interim assistant state fire marshal Sam Schafnitt said that an accidental electrical problem caused a heating lamp in a science room with turtles and lizards to ignite.

Seven classrooms and the principal's office were burned. Schafnitt said that the high school, which is part of the Dover Public Schools building, is a total loss.

No injuries were reported.

Dover Schools Superintendent Shannon Grimes said Wednesday that electricity, water and telephone service has been restored to the school building.

Students will be temporarily moved to the elementary school.

Dover Schools Superintendent Shannon Grimes said they will move the high school students to the elementary school temporarily, until the district can talk to the insurance company and figure out a permanent solution.

"A lot of people who went to school here went to this building, they have a lot of emotional ties to this school. It's hard for them to see it burn down," Grimes said.