CYPRESS, Texas (KTRK) -- A small fire that broke out at Arnold Middle School on Monday afternoon forced students and staff to relocate to nearby campuses, Cy-Fair ISD officials said.

According to a letter sent to Arnold Middle School parents from Principal Jillian Williams, the fire started from a battery malfunction in a science classroom at about 12:30 p.m. CFISD officials said the laptop battery began to smoke before staff tried to smother it with a blanket; staff then used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, authorities said.

Officials said that because of the smoke in the building, students had to be relocated to nearby campuses at Cy-Fair High School and Lamkin Elementary.