A burning ember simmering in a dust pile prompted the evacuation of Coupeville Middle and High School Wednesday afternoon.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., maintenance supervisor Scott Losey was in the process of changing a belt in the air handling unit for the woodworking and metalworking building at Coupeville High School. He discovered a small ember and burning dust.

The fire alarm was triggered and students in both schools were evacuated to a playing field next to the gym building, according to information from the Coupeville School District. Students returned to class approximately 25 minutes later.

Losey was able to extinguish the small fire, which was contained within the metal ductwork.

Firefighters from Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue responded to the alarm. They were onsite shortly after the alarm sounded.

Superintendent Jim Shank expressed appreciation for the quick response from Losey and the fire department, and the students and staff who followed fire drill procedures to quickly evacuate.

“Staff handled it great and students handled it great,” Shank said.