PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - Students at East Wiltshire Intermediate School in Cornwall, P.E.I., were sent home at about 10:30 a.m. Thursday after a small fire caused smoke damage to the building.

Principal Windsor Wight told CBC News the fire started in a belt on one of the rooftop ventilators, causing smoke to spread quickly through the ventilation system.

"We noted the smoke, and a couple of the teachers came out very quickly out of the room and said there was smoke coming out through the ventilation system. And we quickly got the alarm pulled and got the kids outside. ... Within less than two minutes, we had everyone out of the building," said White.

"The smoke is still very strong within the school, through the ventilation system, especially in the Grade 7 wing where it sort of all happened."

The cleanup has begun, but school officials don't know yet if the building will be ready for students Friday. A decision on whether the school will be open will be made Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW