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Algonquin College was evacuated Thursday morning as fire crews tackled a blaze that blew up a propane cylinder at an on-campus construction site.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Fire alarms sounded in buildings A, B and C and the three buildings at the Woodroffe Avenue campus were evacuated as a precaution.

The fire department said that crews were summoned at 9:40 a.m. by a 911 call to a fire near construction equipment in an outside courtyard at 1385 Woodroffe Ave. It appeared to be spreading and the first crew quickly declared a working fire and launched a “rapid-fire attack.”

The flames reached a propane cylinder which exploded but crews were able to secure other cylinders and gas tanks before they were engulfed. Black smoke billowed as tarps and insulation ignited but the fire didn’t spread to surrounding buildings and was under control by 10:10 a.m. and the damage stopped at 10:26 a.m.