An eight-foot python named Nanner, which was identified by the authorities as the likely prime suspect for starting a fire at a Virginia middle school, has been declared innocent by a teacher. However, the authorities haven’t confirmed its innocence yet.
The snake is believed to have knocked over a heat lamp inside a classroom which started the blaze.
The unusual incident happened at Forest Middle School in Bedford County, Virginia, shortly after midnight on August 13. Firefighters responding to the alarm found heavy smoke, an active fire and the large python loose inside the classroom.
According to Chief Fire Marshal Steve Whipple, “the evidence indicates” that the snake (likely due to its size and weight) knocked down a heat fixture which ultimately started the fire. Whereas, science teacher Brittany Jacobs has firmly denied these claims.
Ms. Jacobs stated that the heat lamps in her classroom had always been securely fastened to their mounts since they were installed and that no possible way existed for them to be knocked down. In addition to denying the possibility that the snakes’ heat lamps could have been knocked down, Ms. Jacobs has stated that the video footage taken from a camera in her classroom clearly showed that the fire had begun approximately 20 minutes prior to Nanner escaping from her cage.
The teacher further believes that Nanner was attempting to get away from the flames rather than create them.
The fire had apparently melted or severely deformed Nanner’s cage which may explain why the snake appeared to have injured herself as she attempted to force her head through the mesh of her cage.
Additionally, Ms. Jacobs has noted that Nanner had been covered with black soot and indicated that this soot evidenced the fact that she was still in her cage when the fire began.
While officials continue to maintain that Nanner contributed to the blaze, Jacobs says important details have been left out of the public account.
2026-08-18 23:58:00
