Chief: Motor caused smoke at White County school

CLEVELAND - Officials now know what caused smoke and an odor at Jack P. Nix Primary School Monday night.

"This morning school maintenance discovered what caused the smoke and smell last night," said Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt. "It was a motor in one of the milk coolers."

Pruitt said at the scene Monday night that custodians at the school dialed 9-1-1 after seeing smoke in the school's cafeteria.

That call, around 8:45 p.m., brought response from Cleveland, White County and Helen fire units.

Fire personnel remained on scene for about an hour before turning over the building to the school superintendent and school maintenance personnel.

There was no damage to the building, which is located on West Kytle Street, and no injuries occurred.