Smoke billows roll from generator break-down

A generator at Braden River High School caught fire Aug. 26, causing more than 40 firefighters to be dispatched to the school.

East Manatee Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Stacey Bailey said the district received a report that a portable was on fire, but firefighters quickly determined white smoke piling from the school was because of a generator failed. 

“The turbo on the generator gave way,” Bailey said, noting there had been power outages in the area, which is why the generator was running. “When a turbo gives way, it produces a lot of white smoke and it’s hot. It was hot enough to activate the sprinkler system. There’s so much hot oil that goes everywhere. They had a big mess.”

The biggest danger, Bailey said, proved to be water from the sprinkler on electrical equipment.

The incident occurred in an electrical room at the school around 4:41 p.m. No students were present at that time.

Bailey said school staff did an “outstanding” job, following emergency protocols.

“They new exactly where we were going,” Bailey said. “It was a great team effort. They did what they were supposed to do.”

Firefighters typically see this type of fire in diesel trucks along the interstate, Bailey said.