Fire damages Whitman Middle School portable

Firefighters were quick to put out a small fire at Whitman Middle School.

A witness saw smoke just after 1:30 p.m. Sunday and called 911. Firefighters arrived and doused a small fire along the outside of one of the portables.

The witness said he didn’t see anyone nearby, but he showed firefighters some spent fireworks at the top of the stairs, just up from the fire (above). The Battalion Chief gave the man kudos for his quick action, explaining that if it had been another five or ten minutes, the fire would have been much worse. Arson investigators are on the way because they’re especially concerned with educational facilities, the Battalion Chief said.