NEWPORT -- Departments from several towns responded to a fire at Nokomis Regional High School Sunday morning, and were able to minimize the fire's damage.

Lt. Randy Wing of the Newport Police Department said bags of sawdust and shavings located just outside the school caught fire and caused the blaze.

The fire was reported at 8:03 a.m., Wing said.

"From the ground up to the roof, that section of the building was damaged," Wing said.

Firefighters from Newport, Corinna, Dexter, Hartland, Pittsfield, Plymouth and St. Albans were at the scene. Wing said that when he arrived, the flames were at roof level.

"It was very fortunate that they got it under control as quickly as they did," Wing said. "If the roof had caught fire, they would have had a lot more significant damage."

Jason Tardy, the athletic director at Nokomis, said the gymnasium would be repaired in plenty of time for basketball season. High school basketball practices begin Nov. 17.

Tardy also said the physical education classes at the school will not be affected.

"All our phys. ed. classes, their units are outdoor units right now," Tardy said. "It could have been a lot worse."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com