A science teacher in Virginia is challenging claims by authorities that her python was responsible for a fire at Forest Middle School. The fire, which occurred on 13 August, damaged several classrooms and resulted in the death of a tortoise.
Authorities have publicly attributed the fire to the python, named Nanner, alleging it knocked over a heat fixture in its owner's classroom. However, the teacher, Brittany Jacobs, argues that Nanner only escaped its enclosure in an attempt to flee a blaze that was not of its making.
Firefighters responded to the school at approximately 12:30 am on 13 August after the fire alarm and sprinkler system were triggered. They reportedly found an 8ft python loose in a second-floor classroom where the fire had started. The county's chief fire marshal, Steven Whipple, stated that "the snake contributed to starting the fire" by knocking over a heat fixture.
Jacobs, who has kept animals for educational purposes in her classroom for 18 years, disputes this. She stated in a social media post on 15 August that all light fixtures were secured and the heat fixture near the tortoise enclosure had been clamped and in place for three years, not easily knocked over. She also noted that surveillance video showed the fire visible for 20 minutes before Nanner was seen exiting the classroom, suggesting the snake was escaping the heat.