Students at

Ferris High School

in

Jersey City

were evacuated from the school this morning when a fire broke out there, students told The Jersey Journal.

A senior who did not want to be identified said a fire was set in the back of the school, in a garage, at about 10:30. Nine to 12 students were taken away by police, the student said.

"I witnessed them being taken by the cops," the student said. "They were smiling and laughing and even dancing." The student added that there is simmering hostilities between two groups in the school and that this act, if intentional, could be a result of that.

Jersey City Fire Director

Armando Roman

said his investigators on the scene are unaware of any students being taken into custody.

Calls to the high school were not answered and a message left for a district spokeswoman were not immediately returned.

"It was a small fire in the automotive room," Roman said. "We evacuated the school as a precaution because there was a lot of smoke."