KINGSTON, Jamaica – Close to 700 students from the Waterford Primary School are left without the use of their physical education department following a fire that gutted a section of the school on the weekend.

One man was injured in the blaze but his injuries are not considered life threatening.

Police report that about 8:30 am Saturday, residents living close to the school saw smoke coming from a section of the building and alerted the fire department.

"I was on the school compound doing some painting work when I saw smoke coming from a part of the building," said Richard Grant.

"A section of my hand got burnt but I will survive," said Grant.

Grant said his hand was injured when he attempted to save whatever school items he could from the fire.

Octavia Waite, one of the vice principals at the school, said she was at home when she heard about the fire.

"I got a phone call that a section of the school was on fire and that was when I rushed to the location," said the distraught school official.

She said the damage has left school officials deeply concerned.

"This month marks the start of the track season. This is going to be a major setback for our students," said Waite.

The cause of the fire is unknown.