Fire damages Auburn school building

Fire broke out on the exterior of an Auburn school building today, spreading smoke inside. Fire and flames were reported at the 300-block Nevada Street building just before 5 p.m. and crews from five departments responded. Fire damage was kept to the exterior but smoke made it into the building, Auburn Fire Battalion Chief John Williamson said. Cause of the fire had yet to be determined and investigators were still sizing up the extent of damage, Williamson said. The building, which has served as the Office of Education's Career Technical Education center, was targeted for occupancy by the iLearn Charter Academy in mid-October. The building is part of the Office of Education's headquarters complex. The extent of the damage would determine whether plans for the academy's move from Meadow Vista would have to be pushed back, Office of Education spokeswoman Michelle Eklund said. Interior teardown and construction work has been taking place at the school building but workers had all left by 3:30 p.m., Eklund said. Part of Nevada Street near the building was closed until shortly after 6 p.m. during emergency operations.