A malfunctioning tar kettle caused a fire at a construction site near Bellevue High School Friday.

Fire officials said the thermometer of kettle, which can hold as much as 600 gallons of hot tar, failed causing the material to ignite. Firefighters on the scene called for extensive backup as the fire occurred only 30 feet away from the school and a 100-gallon propane tank. The fire ignited quickly and plumes of black smoke could be seen throughout the city.

Firefighters spent more than two hours at the site to make sure the kettle would not reignite. No one was injured in the incident.