The roof of a parochial school in Farrell caught fire at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday during repairs.

Farrell Fire Chief Joseph Santell said maintenance workers were on the roof of Monsignor Geno Monti School, 1225 Union St., heating tar with a propane tank when the tank hose broke off and the tar caught fire.

"It looked like the whole roof was on fire, but when we got up there it was only a section. It didn't damage the inside of the school, just the roof," Santell said, adding he didn't have a monetary estimate of the loss.

Bob Palumbo, the school maintenance man, who was working on the roof at the time, said luckily he was able to turn the propane off after the factory fitting slid off. He tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher. He was treated at the scene for singed arms and hands.

Bernice DeMartinez, school principal, said she saw flames on the roof but as soon as firefighters sprayed them, the fire went out.

"Thankfully, there were no kids inside," she said, noting that classes do not start until Tuesday at the school, which includes preschool through eighth grade.

"They were very lucky," Santell added.

Sharon and Hermitage firefighters assisted.