Smiley Elementary School was briefly evacuated around 2 p.m. Tuesday when stormy conditions caused a tree to fall on a power line outside the school. The downed line started a small fire in the woods and caused a surge inside the school, which knocked out power and caused the fire alarm to go off, according to Superintendent Dr. Robert Waters.
Ludowici/Long County Fire Department Chief Richard Truman said the live power line is preventing firefighters from safely extinguishing the blaze. Crews from Georgia Power reportedly are en route to fix the line.
Power is still out at the school, and the buses will be delayed approximately 25-30 minutes due to traffic tie-ups around the area.
The Courier will provide more information on this incident as it becomes available.