SUMMERDALE, Ala. —Funny thing was, Summerdale School was planning to hold a fire drill Monday, Jan. 11.

That drill became a reality when a gas heater at the school malfunctioned, sending smoke into classrooms in the school’s intermediate wing, which houses third- and fourth-grade students. No one was hurt in the incident.

“We train for this every month,” said Principal Mark Pumphrey.

The entire school was evacuated for a couple of hours. School officials say there was no fire, but students were not able to get their coats before being shepherded outside.

“The day started without power, and we just got power back when there was smoke coming out of the vents in one classroom,” said Pumphrey.

The class evacuated to the hallway as soon as the smoke was noticed, and Pumphrey said a fire alarm was called in around 8:50 a.m. School begins at 7:50 a.m.

“Chief Reibling of Summerdale Police arrived within five minutes and Summerdale Fire Department showed up immediately after,” said Assistant Principal Danny McDuffie

“The PK-2 (grades) was relocated to our relocation site (Summerdale Assembly of God) one block away because of extreme weather,” continued McDuffie. Students in grades 3 through 8 were allowed in the school’s gym after the Summerdale Fire Department approved the plan. School officials kept in contact via “radio communication,” and took attendance to make sure no one was missing. Pumphrey added that the school building was searched thoroughly to make sure no youngsters, perhaps frightened by the bustle were left behind.

According to Terry Wilhite, Director of Communications for the Baldwin County Public Schools, “It appears the smoke originated from a heater fan motor. The school was without electricity first thing this morning. When the electricity came back on the smoke started soon thereafter. Perhaps the motor could have taken a surge or simply just failed. We used our rapid notification e-mail system to let parents know what was going on and that all students were safe and warm.”

According to Wilhite, “(The) Main building was built in the late 1920s. But the Intermediate Building was constructied in the early 1980s.”

The exact cause of the incident is unknown at this time. Fire officials, according to Pumphrey, checked the building thoroughly before students were allowed to return.

According to McDuffie, classes resumed around 10 a.m. The classes that received the bulk of the smoke have been relocated to other parts of the building, and Pumphrey says that heat pumps will be installed to replace the heaters.

“Our teachers and students handled the situation very well,” said Pumphrey, adding, “We regularly practice fire drills and the practice paid off this morning. We’d like to thank (Summerdale Fire) Chief (John W. ) Resmondo and his department for their quick response. This is a great community and a great school. We especially appreciate our parents entrusting their students with us and knowing that we have their safety and well-being at heart. Our students are great.”