A two-alarm fire that authorities called suspicious damaged Weigel Elementary School in Groesbeck late Friday.
The fire, contained to one classroom, was doused in about 10 minutes, Colerain Township Fire Chief Bruce Smith said. But smoke spread throughout the building, causing additional damage.
"There was a lot of smoke pouring out of the front doors of the building," said a neighbor, Craig Seaver, 21, who attended the school as a child.
The school, at 3242 Banning Road, is part of the Northwest Local School District.
As fire crews worked late Friday, school officials watched, many visibly shaken, some in tears.
From outside, Northwest Superintendent Ken Dirr surveyed the building, where 470 children were to begin class in grades one through five on Monday.
Until he could get inside, he said, he would be unable to determine whether classes could begin as scheduled.
Earlier in the evening, the school hosted a meeting with parents and schoolchildren, said a teacher.
There were no injuries, said Lt. Steve Fortunski of the Colerain fire department. Damage was still being assessed late Friday. Green Township and Springfield Township crews assisted.
