CANTON — A vehicle fire in Banford Elementary School parking lot at Canton Central School Thursday morning was quickly contained by firefighters, preventing damage to nearby vehicles, according to Canton Fire Department officials.

Canton Fire, Canton Rescue and Car 4 were dispatched at 7:43 a.m. to a reported vehicle fire threatening other vehicles at the school, located at 99 State St., officials said in an online statement.

Past Chief Bob Crowe, serving as County Car 3, arrived within two minutes and confirmed a working vehicle fire with vehicles exposed on both sides, according to officials.

Before fire apparatus arrived, school faculty and staff moved nearby vehicles away from the burning vehicle to help prevent the fire from spreading, officials said.

Firefighters said keys were obtained for the two vehicles parked immediately adjacent to the fire, allowing Crowe and County Car 9, Mark Basford, to move them. Both vehicles sustained only minor heat damage.

Chiefs McGregor and E. Johnson arrived and used fire extinguishers to knock down the flames while the nearby vehicles were being relocated, officials said.

Engine 6 arrived at 7:49 a.m., and firefighters stretched a hose line and quickly extinguished the fire, officials said.

Crews then conducted overhaul operations, and the vehicles involved were removed by Johnson Towing. All responding personnel returned to service by 8:34 a.m., firefighters said.

The incident occurred during morning student drop-off, when parents were using the parking lot where the fire occurred, officials said.

School staff redirected traffic to another location and helped ensure the safety of students arriving at the school, according to fire officials. Fire department officials commended school staff for their swift response and professionalism during the incident.

Responding Canton Fire Department units included Engine 6, commanded by Capt. McCluskey; Chief Cary; Chief E. Johnson; and Chief McGregor.

Mutual aid  was provided by the Canton police, St. Lawrence County sheriff's deputies, state police and St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Cars 1, 3 and 9, fire officials said.