Small fire kills 4 baby chicks at Henrico elementary school

Four baby chicks died in a small fire that broke out in their chicken pen at Rivers Edge Elementary School March 10, according to the school's principal.

No students or staff members were injured in the incident, which occurred well before students arrived at school Tuesday morning. Henrico Fire officials visited the school before doors opened to students at 7:20 a.m. and gave officials the "all clear," Principal Nicole Freundt wrote in an email to parents.

Students in the classroom where the fire occurred and in other nearby areas were relocated elsewhere in the school for the day, and officials opened windows in every classroom in the school to help rid the building of a lingering smoke smell, she wrote.

"In the meantime, student learning is continuing and teachers have the flexibility to move classes outside when appropriate," Freundt wrote.