LAWRENCE — A short-circuit in a fluorescent-light fixture is the suspected cause of a fire last night resulting in water damage to a classroom and equipment used by YouthBuild.
The classroom is in a garage on the premises of the Family Development Charter School at 34 West St.
YouthBuild is a national training program for people between 16 and 24 to obtain high school equivalency diplomas while building homes for low-income families.
The building and power tools were damaged in the fire, which started about 9:30.
"The building is salvageable," said fire Lt. Paul Reitano.
"It could have been old age, or wear and tear, we don't know how old the fixture is," said Reitano, a member of the fire investigation unit of the Lawrence Fire Department.
Reitano said he was not aware of any building code violations, but the city's building department will need to inspect the building before it can be used again.
Juan Pimentel, who sets up his fast-food truck near the school, was the first to call the Fire Department, and then charter school superintendent, Ralph Carrero.
A cloud of white smoke coming from the roof rose in stark contrast to the night sky as firefighters battled the two-alarm fire for an hour-and-a-half last night.
The garages are located near railroad tracks, and Carrero said the facility has had problems in the past with homeless people.
"In the winter, they abut against the building to keep warm," Carrero said.
He said members of YouthBuild trim the grass when it gets too high and clear the leaves to keep the building exposed.
"We pride ourselves in keeping our school building safe," Carrero said. "We've put too much time and financial resources to have a fine school for our kids."
