DURHAM – Durham Elementary School was evacuated for a brief time early Tuesday afternoon when smoke was reported in the gymnasium. Residents were voting there on a proposal to form a community school district with Lisbon.

Fire Chief Bill St. Michel said the alarm came in at 2:21 p.m.

Following school protocol, the school was immediately evacuated for 15 to 20 minutes. Fire officials determined there was no fire, and that the probable cause of the smoke was an overheated motor on air exchange equipment over the stage in the gym, St. Michel said. Power to the unit was disconnected until it can be inspected Thursday.

Included in the evacuation of students and faculty were Town Clerk Shannon Plourde and six election workers who took the precaution of taking election materials outside for security and safekeeping until the area was declared safe to return. No damage was reported.