Elementary school on fire in Sanford

Fire crews are working to contain the flames inside J.A. Cuddy School in Sanford, Manitoba.

Global News is told between 80-90 children in a daycare along with staff were inside when the fire broke out. Everyone made it out safe.

The blaze started just before 1 p.m. Thursday and thick black smoke could be scene from as far away as downtown Winnipeg.

Sanford is a small community around 15 kilometres from the Perimeter on Highway 3.

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Part of the school was under construction at the time. The area fire chief said the blaze started on the roof where construction crews were doing work. Damage estimates are still being sorted out however the chief said the building sustained smoke and water damage.

Students were set to return to class on Wednesday. The assistant superintendent of the Red River Valley School Division told Global News it is unclear if that date will be pushed back. The division is also exploring the option of moving classes to other buildings.