WESTON, Mass. --
A massive fire engulfed a private school in Weston early Wednesday morning.
Flames broke out at the Gifford School on Route 20 at about 6 a.m. The main building on the school's 26-acre campus was engulfed in flames, and smoke could be seen for miles.
School officials said that the blaze may have started after a maintenance worker turned on a stove and then left the area. The fire destroyed a building that houses classrooms, a gymnasium, kitchen and a greenhouse.
There were no reports of any injuries.
"I feel terrible. I've been here for 35 years, and we built this building 20 years ago with fundraised money. It was the first building we built when we started to remodel the campus. It's like losing something important," Gifford School Executive Director Mike Bassichis said.
More than 100 students with learning and behavioral challenges from about 60 towns attend the private day school. Since there are other buildings on the campus, officials said that classes will be held after the holidays.
Traffic in the area was being diverted. The ramps to Route 20 from Route 128 have been closed.
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