The fire was contained to a kiln in the art room according to the West Hartford Fire Department.

The West Hartford FIre Dept. was called to Conard High School Thursday due to a kiln fire. Submitted photo

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Fire Department responded to Conard High School Thursday night after smoke detectors activated shortly after 5:30 p.m.

According to Battalion Chief John Sokolowski, the fire was contained to a kiln in one of the art rooms. He said it appeared that cardboard forms had been used to hold the shape of some pieces of pottery that were being baked in the kiln, and the cardboard caught fire.

Sokolowski said that smoke which escaped through ventilation holes in the kiln set off the smoke detectors in the building. Firefighters were able to shut down the kiln and the fire remained contained.

The building was evacuated for approximately an hour, Sokolowski said, while smoke was cleared from the hallways.

“Unfortunately, the pottery projects are a casualty,” Sokolowski said.

There was no other damage to the building, and midterm exams scheduled for Friday will be held as planned.