A short in a motor associated with the heating and cooling system at Rome Free Academy lead to a brief evacuation of the school Thursday morning.

Superintendant Jeff Simons says the motor was located in the ceiling. Smoke triggered the alarm system on the second floor in the 2300 wing, prompting a response from the fire department, he said.

A short time later, students were allowed back in the school's auditorium.

The fire department gave school officials the 'okay', allowing the school to return to a normal schedule, Simons said.