HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Firefighters were called to a kitchen fire Monday afternoon at The Goddard School in Ellicott City, according to officials. A stretch of MD 108 was closed for the emergency response.

After 12:20 p.m., crews were dispatched to the school in the 5600 block of Waterloo Road, according to Maria Hogg, public information officer for the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services. A fire alarm had activated in the building, and all children evacuated before crews arrived, Hogg told Patch. The Goddard School is a preschool near Shipley's Grant.

Firefighters quickly snuffed out the fire, which began in the school's food prep area, and contained it to the kitchen. It may have started with the microwave, Hogg said, but investigators were at the scene and had not yet determined an official cause and origin. Authorities said they were working with school management to create a transportation and shelter plan for the students.