Two stage curtain fires at McCallum High School

The Austin Fire Department responded to two stage curtain fires at McCallum High School within hours of each other.

The first happened just after 8 a.m. on Oct. 22. Officials say quick action by a student using a fire extinguisher kept the fire small in the McCallum Fine Arts Center. No one was hurt but around 40 to 50 students were inside when the fire started. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental due to a stage curtain laying across stage lighting. Damage was estimated at around $600.

The second fire happened at around 5:45 a.m. this morning (10/23). Officials say another stage curtain caught fire. The fire was quickly extinguished. Crews were working to remove smoke from the building and no injuries were reported.