An 8-foot python.
Crews were called to Forest Middle School in Bedford County at approximately 12:45 a.m. after a fire alarm sounded, according to fire officials.
Crews arrived to find water pouring from the second floor, flames visible inside, and smoke showing through the windows.
Then things got a little wild.
Firefighters secured a water supply and began forcing their way inside as additional crews arrived and stretched hose lines toward the second floor.
Heavy smoke filled the area as firefighters pushed toward the burning classroom.
Waiting for them inside was the python.
Crews safely secured the snake in a temporary holding area while continuing to battle the fire, officials said. Its owner later arrived and returned the python to its original location.
With the unexpected reptilian encounter handled, firefighters extinguished the blaze.
The sprinkler system also created another problem.
Water spread through portions of the building, damaging eight classrooms, while smoke filled the first and second floors across two wings of the school.
Ventilating the sprawling building proved challenging, prompting crews to bring in additional fans to clear the smoke.
Bedford County Public Schools officials responded to the scene along with cleanup contractors and were developing plans to relocate the affected classroom elsewhere in the building if necessary.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Bedford County Fire Investigator.
No injuries were reported by fire officials.
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