8-Foot Python Tied to Virginia School Fire, but Teacher Denies Blame

Firefighters battled a second‑floor blaze at Forest Middle School in Bedford County, Virginia, and found an 8‑foot python in a classroom; officials say the snake escaped its tank, knocked over a heat lamp, and contributed to the fire, while the owner/teacher insists the incident was accidental and not the snake’s fault. A tortoise was killed and eight classrooms suffered water damage as crews neutralized the flames and shut off the sprinkler system.