ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Investigators have ruled a second-alarm fire accidental at JC Sawyer Elementary School in Elizabeth City on Sunday.
The school was empty when the blaze started just after 10 a.m. on Park Street, officials said. Shortly after the Elizabeth City Fire Department arrived, the fire was upgraded to a second alarm.
Before the fire was brought under control, three classrooms experienced smoke and heat damage. Officials said there was "no significant structural damage," however.
Investigators said there was "no suspicion of foul play or malicious intent" regarding the cause of the fire. Although it was confirmed accidental, officials have yet to release what exactly started it.
Multiple local agencies, including fire, police and school district officials, responded to the incident.
