UPDATE: Smoke caused by power surge at DuPont Elementary

Power outage and smoke reported at DuPont Elementary

DuPont Elementary School is adding STEAM and culinary labs to its campus as well as redoing its library.
DuPont Elementary School is adding STEAM and culinary labs to its campus as well as redoing its library.

UPDATE: The incident at DuPont Elementary has been determined as a power surge that blew out a number of light ballasts -- what regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps -- in the building.

Work has begun to correct the problem and everything should be ready for children to return tomorrow.

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ORIGINAL STORY: There are reports of a power outage and smoke in hallways at DuPont Elementary, according to a tweet from Hamilton County Department of Education.

No injuries have been reported, and parents have been notified. All children are being sent home as a precaution and so officials can focus on resolving the problem, Chattanooga Fire Department spokesman Bruce Garner said.

There was no fire, only smoke, Garner said. The cause appears to be electrical. EPB is at the scene as well.

After school care will also not be provided as the building is checked this afternoon.

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