Atlantic County will begin draining Lake Nescochague in Mullica Township on Monday to repair damage to the Pleasant Mills Dam caused by Hurricane Irene, officials said Saturday night.

The state Department of Environmental Protection ordered the repairs.

The county intends to hire Great Blue Inc. to salvage and relocate the fish in the 40-acre lake, officials said. Afterward, the lake will be completely drained for repairs to the dam.

About 35 firefighters and five fire trucks from the Cardiff and Farmington fire departments responded to the blaze in the Davenport Complex on the 2400 block of Spruce Avenue in the township’s Cardiff section.

Cardiff Fire Chief Rob Winkler said the complex’s custodial staff reported the fire. When firefighters responded, there was heavy black smoke billowing from the main office and throughout the school.

Winkler said water was used to stop the fire from spreading, and the exact cause and origin of the fire is under investigation. He said his preliminary findings indicate the fire was electrical.

No one was injured during the fire, and large fans were used to remove smoke from inside the school, Winkler said.

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