Howard County police are investigating whether a fire that caused an estimated $50,000 in damage at Hammond High School this month is connected to four fires that were intentionally set at the school in November.

The most recent fire, on Jan. 7, burned curtains in the school's auditorium and forced the evacuation of the school and an early dismissal. Sprinklers contained the fire, which was extinguished by firefighters and confined to the stage area, according to the county Fire Department. No one was injured, and students were allowed back inside before being dismissed a few minutes early.

"It is a very serious act," said Patti Caplan, the school system's spokeswoman. "We are fortunate that we have not had any injuries."

During November, Hammond High School had four incidents categorized as malicious burning, according to police spokeswoman Elizabeth Schroen. All of the fires were started in trash cans and were quickly contained, she added.

"It is believed that the fires were not naturally occurring," Schroen said. "They were set by someone."

Police are working with fire investigators to determine whether the fires are linked and whether they were started by one person or a group.

"Certainly this is concerning not only for people who attend the school but for the community," Schroen said. "It is something that police consider very seriously. We are going to hold the person responsible."

Damages in this month's fire could exceed $50,000, depending on the extent of the damage, according to Caplan.

The destroyed curtain is currently being replaced and the school system will replace the stage during the summer, Caplan said.

"They will go back and do a complete replacement," Caplan said. "That's when we'll have a better sense of the costs."

She added, "We would prefer to be using taxpayer dollars in other areas."