CORTLAND, NY (CortacaToday) – An elementary school in Cortland is forced to evacuate after a fire.

On Monday, October 7, 2024, around 11:20 a.m. the Cortland Fire Department was called to Saint Mary’s School for a fire alarm activation. Shortly after, Cortland County 911 received a call for a fire in the gymnasium ceiling. Despite attempts, school staff couldn’t put the fire out because of the height of the gym ceiling.

When responding units arrived, they pulled the manual alarm and all non-emergency personnel evacuated the building. The proper doors were closed to limit the smoke from traveling to other parts of the building.

Firefighters confirmed a fire in the ceiling near a light fixture and quickly used an extension ladder to extinguish the flames. Charles Street was closed for about an hour, and around 15 Cortland FD members responded to the scene. They spent several hours airing the building out.

“The quick actions by the staff of Saint Mary’s School in alerting the fire department and evacuating the students limited the damage to the building and also prevented any injury to the students,” said Cortland Fire Chief Wayne Friedman. “The benefit of schools doing regular fire drills was evident today.”

The areas of the school not affected by smoke were reoccupied while school officials planned cleanup efforts.

Officials say the cause of the fire was likely related to a malfunctioning light fixture, but the investigation is still underway.