The chief of Lambton Shores Fire and Emergency Services says no one was injured in a small fire at St. John Fisher School in Forest on Friday.
James Marshall said his firefighters responded to an alarm just after 1:30 p.m. on January 9, finding the school had been fully evacuated.
He said the hallways and kitchen of the Catholic elementary school on Main Street were filled with smoke when they entered.
"There were a couple of fire extinguishers where staff had managed to knock down most of the fire that had occurred on the stovetop in the kitchen," Marshall said. "Unfortunately, there was combustibles too close to the stovetop and they reached the point that they ignited."
He said it was too early for a damage estimate.
"There is a lot of cleaning that needs to take place in that wing of the school due to the smoke and the dry chemical that was used to suppress the fire," Marshall said.
He said significant repairs will be needed in the kitchen.
Marshall said some students were allowed to return to their classrooms to gather their belongings, before completing the school day outside.
Other students were picked up early by their parents or guardians.
Marshall said the fire serves as a reminder to keep stovetops clear of combustibles, saying they've responded to several of these types of fires recently.
