San Diego

A fire Thursday sent elementary schoolchildren in Mira Mesa scurrying out of their classrooms for the second time in a week, a fire department spokesman said.

There were no injuries.

Smoke was detected by students at 9:30 a.m. and the fire was quickly put out by firefighters in the physical education equipment room of Mary Chase Walker Elementary on 9225 Hillery Drive, officials said.

Damage to the equipment is estimated to be more than $3,000 and was limited to the equipment room despite being connected to a building that has six classrooms, officials said.

“We were lucky that the damage was only to that room, which is made of concrete,” said Connie Akashian, principal of the school with more than 800 students. “The students were mainly worried about losing their sports equipment.”

Earlier in the month a trash can was set on fire by someone who school officials believe is a Walker Elementary student.

“The kids are real concerned about the situation and have offered to help,” Akashian said.

The arson unit is not investigating the Thursday fire because of the small amount of damage, but school police are, officials said.