A private school in Red Springs reopened Tuesday after the doors were closed from a fire last week.

All of the students at Flora Macdonald Academy made it safely outside Friday morning, and the blaze was quickly snuffed out.

Officials said what could have been a tragedy was avoided thanks to a school janitor, and the fast work of firefighters.

“There was the potential there for it to be a major fire, but our firefighters located the fire as quick as possible,” said Red Springs Fire Chief Richard McDuffie. “They did a fantastic job locating that and extinguishing it.”

The school remained closed Friday. About 182 children ranging from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade are enrolled at the private academy at 200 N. College St.

McDuffie, who’s been a Red Springs firefighter for more than a decade, said he is not aware of any prior fires at the school.

The century-old school is comprised of several wings, renovated over the years, on the campus that was once Flora Macdonald College.

The fire started in a chimney connected to the boiler, fired up to heat the entire two-story school.

A 2-by-8-inch wooden support beam inside the chimney caught fire and pushed smoke back into the school and its auditorium on the second floor, the fire chief said.

A janitor discovered the smoke and altered the fire department at 7:47 a.m. while school officials to begin evacuating the students.

McDuffie said the burning timber was located quickly and put out.

Asked about the amount of damage, McDuffie said, “We kept it to a minimum.”

Firefighters cleared the scene at about 10:45 a.m.

“A potential fire of this magnitude happens so seldom, yet our fire department handled this in a confident and professional manner,” said Mayor John McNeill, who went to the school. “These guys worked as a team and handled this like it was an everyday occurrence.

“Their dedication and training is greatly appreciated. All of these guys have full-time jobs, yet give so much of their time and energy to the community. I just want to say thanks again to the fire department on behalf of a grateful town.”

Red Springs firefighters received assistance from Shannon, Prospect, Lumber Bridge, Smith, and Pembroke fire departments. Lumberton’s ladder truck was on standby.

“This was a very successful operation, with five other departments coming to mutual aid,” McDuffie said. “It worked beautifully. Everybody worked hand in hand. I really appreciate all the departments that helped out.”

Flora Macdonald Academy is an independent, college preparatory, coeducational day school for pre-kindergartners through the 12th grade. It was founded in 1896.

Its extensive gardens and grounds surround a building on the National Historic Registry.

McNeill said the historic school played an important role in the town’s early history, and the academy is valued by the community.

“This campus means so much to so many residents of Red Springs, and throughout this state and area. There are numerous graduates from this school dating back to when it was Flora Macdonald College,” McNeill said.