LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A wooden special-education class building at Wilcox Elementary School was destroyed in a fire before dawn yesterday.

The portable building was among a line of portables at the makai end of the Lihu'e campus. Neighboring buildings were scorched but not seriously damaged. No one was reported injured.

The Lihu'e Fire Station, only three blocks from the school, responded quickly to a 5:23 a.m. alarm and had the blaze under control by 5:47 a.m., the Fire Department said in a news release. The Kalaheo station also responded. The fire was doused by 1:16 p.m.

The 1,050-square-foot portable building was valued at more than $100,000.

The state Department of Education had crews on site yesterday afternoon, building a plywood wall around the charred remains to protect schoolchildren who arrive for classes today.

Fire investigators were looking into the cause of the blaze. Anyone with information should call police dispatch at 241-1711, or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887.

On March 25, 2003, an office building at Wilcox Elementary burned during spring break. Arson was suspected then.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.