Tampa Fire Rescue units are currently responding to a fire at Lee Elementary Magnet School.

The school is located at 305 East Columbus Drive.

Jason Penny with Tampa Fire Rescue said the magnitude of the fire and the size of the building necessitated a call for additional units. There were no indications of an explosion within the building of any kind.

According to a witness, power was out on the school's block today. The school was not a hurricane shelter.

Fire Rescue officials said the school's superintendant and chief custodian had been in the building earlier in the day to assess damage following Hurricane Irma, and found no issues. The school had also undergone recent roof repairs, but those repairs had been completed, according to Hillsborough County Schools Superintendant Jeff Eakins.

Currently, officials said the fire is not suspicious in nature and likely to be related to electrical issues. Residents across the street from the school said power came back to the area around 4:30 p.m.

However, no investigation into the exact circumstances of the fire can begin until the fire is completely out.



This is a developing story. Check back for updates.