Earlier this morning at approximately 11:05 a.m., the Chattanooga Fire Department was called to Howard High School regarding a report of smoke in the gym area. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer observed and found the smoke was several fire extinguishers that had been activated in the gym.

The school was evacuated for safety reasons until it was determined it was secure to return students and staff back into the building.

The investigation is on-going and being handled by School Resource Officers, Deputies Jeremy Wright and Jeremy Durham.