Sault firefighters responded to St. Basil elementary school shortly after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday after reports of smoke inside the building.
Deputy chief Naomi Thibault with the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services said an air-handling unit had malfunctioned, sending smoke into the school.
"The air-handling unit was isolated and the building ventilated," said Thibault. "The building was checked over for carbon monoxide and found to be safe."
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, said Thibault. There was minimal damage to one air-handling unit.
The call came in before students arrived at school to start the day and the school was evacuated as the incident was being investigated.
Multiple firefighters could be seen on the roof as staff and students waited outside.
“The fire department is conducting a thorough inspection, and our teachers are ensuring the students' comfort and safety outside,” said Danielle Dupuis, a communications officer with the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board, in an email to SooToday.
“As we wait to return to the building and students remain safe outside, we ask parents to refrain from picking up their child,” she continued. “We will send another message once everything is resolved and students return to school.”
In an update sent at 10 a.m., Dupuis told SooToday all students and teachers are now back in the building and there is no concern for student safety.