Fire closes St. Matthew elementary early Monday, some grades canceled Tuesday

CEDAR RAPIDS - A small fire in a boiler room caused St. Matthew's elementary school to send students home from classes Monday morning. School workers said they discovered the fire after parts of the building lost power.

'We contacted all the parents, we did an email,” said Joseph Wolf, the school principal. 'Because of the electricity that was still out and the heat, we just felt with this weather, it's best to keep them in a safe spot.”

Workers immediately put out the flames and moved students into the St. Matthew's church, away from smoke.

'I packed up my stuff at work and came and got the kids,” said Mackenzie Fisher, a parent who picked up her children following the incident. 'The said no one was hurt, so there was really no reason to be alarmed.”

Alliant Energy was working to restore power shortly after students were sent home. The school will be closed Tuesday for alternative kindergarten through 5th grade students. The Early Childhood Center and Preschool will be in session.