Los Gatos school closes for the day after fire

LOS GATOS, Calif. (BCN and KTVU) – A school in the Santa Cruz mountains is closed for the day Monday after an overnight fire.

Firefighters have knocked down the fire that was burning at Loma Prieta Elementary School, Cal Fire said on Twitter around 1:40 a.m.

Fire officials say the smoke could be toxic and advised the school district to cancel school Monday, so they put up signs that Loma Prieta Elementary and CT English Middle School are closed.

As of 6 a.m. crews were still putting water on this building because it was smoldering.

There are no fire alarms in the building. Someone passing by on Summit Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains saw the fire and called 9-1-1 around 11 p.m. Sunday.

Firefighters arrived and found the building next to the gymnasium with flames through the roof.

About 55 firefighters from Cal Fire, Santa Clara County, Scotts Valley and Felton worked to put it out.

After an hour they were able to extinguish the blaze.

A fire investigator on scene said he wasn't able to determine yet if it was suspicious.

Fire officials aren't able to say yet whether or not the fire started on the inside or outside of the building.

The investigator is waiting until it gets light outside to look around for evidence to determine a cause of the fire.

The gymnasium has significant smoke and water damage. Meanwhile, the community center - which also houses a sheriff's substation, a kitchen, and art and music classrooms - is destroyed.

Firefighters will remain on scene for the day to salvage what they can. But they want students and parents to stay away from the scene.