DRYDEN, N.Y.

Dryden Middle and High Schools will remain closed on Wednesday after closing early Tuesday due to a small chemical fire, according to school officials.

Authorities say the fire started in a trash can in a chemistry lab on school property. No one was reportedly injured during the fire.

The fire started when a student cleaning up wiped a container with a chemical on it and tossed the paper towel in the trash. Another student then threw away a wet paper in the same trash can which caused a reaction and sparked the fire.

A teacher was able to quickly put the flames out with an extinguisher. Students and faculty were instructed to evacuate the building at the time of the fire.

School officials along with the Dryden Fire Department decided it was best to dismiss school so the incident could be fully evaluated.

The Superintendent of Dryden Central Schools said the middle and high schools will stay closed on Wednesday so crews can conduct air quality tests as precaution.

Dryden Fire Department along with Dryden Ambulance, Ithaca Fire Department, Dryden Police Department, and New York State Police all were called to the scene to investigate.

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Dryden middle, high schools to remain closed after chemical fire ... - CNYcentral.com