Weisenberg Township volunteer firefighters were dispatched Oct. 8 for an automatic fire alarm, a smoke detector activation at Weisenberg Elementary School, 2665 Golden Key Road.

“No one was there, so we accessed the building using our KNOX entry keys,” said Weisenberg Fire Chief Brian C. Carl in an email to The Press.

Carl said firefighters encountered heavy smoke in the hallway, cafeteria and kitchen area and there was also an odor of something burning.

“The call was upgraded from a fire alarm response to a commercial structure fire, which brought additional units from Weisenberg and also brought in Fogelsville and New Tripoli fire departments and Cetronia Ambulance Corps,” Carl said. “Crews found a hot water heater that started on fire in the kitchen area janitor’s closet.

“The fire was contained to the water heater.”

Carl said the smoke was ventilated to the outside and the building was checked for levels of carbon monoxide.

The building was returned to school personnel who handled the cleanup, Carl said.