A fire at Miller Elementary School in Bend on Sunday night caused significant damage to a custodial workshop but was contained by the school’s sprinkler system. Monday’s classes were canceled for a cleanup, and word came later that Tuesday classes also are canceled for that work.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews responded to the school around 9 p.m. after reports of a fire near the gymnasium. Firefighters found the sprinkler system already activated in the custodian’s workshop area, which helped stop the flames from spreading beyond the room, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said.

Investigators determined the fire started in a cabinet where a lithium battery had been stored. The blaze caused severe damage to the workshop.

Firefighters remained on scene for about an hour to clear smoke and water from the area. The principal of Miller Elementary and Bend-La Pine Schools staff assisted crews in damage control efforts.

Principal Jennifer Johnson said in an email to families Monday morning that “water on the gym floor and the custodial office is being cleaned up, and the custodial office sustained damage that will make it inoperable today.”

As a result, she said, school was canceled Monday “to continue clean-up and assess any further damage. Crews are working to ventilate the building using fans and blowers to reduce the odor.”

Johnson added, “Thank you for your understanding and patience.”

Later Monday, Bend-La Pine Schools spokesman Scott Maben told KTVZ News that families had just been informed the closure would last a second day, “as we complete the cleanup and air quality testing.”

The National Fire Protection Association reminds the public to store lithium batteries at room temperature and away from flammable materials, use only batteries and chargers designed for each specific device, and they warn the public not to keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.