No injuries in Elburn school fire

A small fire broke out Thursday at John Stewart Elementary School in Elburn, but firefighters said damage was minimal and no one was hurt.

Firefighters spent about 20 minutes battling the flames, which started near boxes and other items stored in a maintenance area on the northwest corner of the school, 817 Prairie Valley Street.

Assistant Elburn Fire Chief Tate Haley said a cause had not been determined as of Thursday afternoon, but the fire was not considered suspicious. Damage mostly was smoke-related.

"The biggest part was smoke got inside the school itself, and we spent a lot of time getting it out of the school," he said.

No children were present, Haley said, as the school was closed for spring break. A representative of the school district told firefighters the incident would not delay the return of students Monday.

"They plan on being open," Haley said. "It's not going to extend spring break for the kids."