A small fire early Wednesday closed Banting middle school in Coquitlam sending many students home, although some School District 43 staff remained in the school until noon.
Coquitlam Fire Chief Wade Pierlot said the fire occurred in a garbage bin in the southeast part of the school and may have been started when some oily rags self-combusted.
"It caused some damage to the wall and ceiling area in the building," he said. "It caused a lot of smoke damage. We ventilated the building."
A restoration company is on hand to clean and repair the area but it is not yet known whether the school will re-open Thursday and parents are encouraged to check back with the district's website (www.sd43.bc.ca) for updates.
Students who did stay behind were relocated to nearby Miller Park elementary school with staff for the day because of poor air quality in the building.
Parents who need to get in touch with staff after noon today are encouraged to call Miller Park elementary and ask for the Banting staff member by name.
Banting middle school is slated for a $22.5 million rebuild with an opening slated for the spring of 2018.
The fire was reportedly in the southeast wing of the school and damage is minimal, according to the district's website.
