Flames tore through the roof of an elementary school in San Rafael Monday evening, firefighters said.
The fire at Dixie Elementary School, located at 1175 Idylberry Road, was first reported at 5:50 p.m., officials said.
When crews arrived they found an active fire on top of the school's roof. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze at about 6:30 p.m. But the roof appears to be a total loss, and there's water damage inside the classroom, fire officials said.
Dixie Elementary is currently under renovation. The 2017-18 school year is scheduled to begin Aug. 24.
Crews were re-roofing the building Monday when the fire started. Firefighters said it was not immediately known if the roof work was associated with the fire. Crews found extension cords screwed into the roof, and that may have caused a spark, officials said, but no cause was provided Monday night.
Fire crews from Marinwood, San Rafael and Novato responded to the fire. Neighbors prasied firefighters for their quick response, saying if the flames had spread to a nearby hillside, it would have been much worse.
