Popcorn machine sparks fire, killing hamster/ferret

A fire at an Aldine elementary school claimed a victim early this morning: the school's pet hamster ... or ferret. Firefighters responded to the fire in Stovall Academy's gym around 1:30 this morning and found that the fire was probably started by a popcorn machine that had been left plugged in. But it was what they found nearby that was the real tragedy:

"There was a cage on top of one of the filing cabinets that contained what looked like a hamster," [HFD District Chief Jerry] Wedgeworth said.

It looked like a hamster, but KTRK reported that it was a ferret. In either case, if anyone has an extra hamster (or ferret) on hand, the kids at Stovall would probably love it.

As for the school, reports said damage was minor and classes were expected to go on as usual today.