Fire forces closing of Albany school

ALBANY - Classes were canceled Monday for 950 students at Dougherty County Middle School following an overnight fire that caused $40,000 in damages, officials said. <br> <br> James Carswell, Albany&#39;s deputy fire chief, said the fire started amid some books stored in a hallway. Firewalls prevented the flames from spreading to adjoining areas of the school, he said. The blaze was reported about 2 a.m. <br> <br> ``All the fire damage was in a hallway and the ceiling,&#39;&#39; he said. ``There was some smoke damage.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Investigators were still on the scene Monday morning, trying to determine the cause. <br> <br> ``Right now we haven&#39;t found anything that could have caused it accidentally,&#39;&#39; Carswell said. ``Once we eliminate all possible accidental causes, then we&#39;ll look and see if it was intentionally set.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> School spokeswoman Brenda Horton said the entire school system will begin its two-week Christmas break on Wednesday. She said classes will resume Tuesday. <br> <br>