Updated: 5:47 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2008 | Posted: 5:43 p.m. Saturday, May 31, 2008
SEATAC, Wash. —
Ninety firefighters from 11 agencies responded to the four alarm fire that destroyed the school around 6 p.m. Saturday.
VIDEO: Investigators Will Examine Fire Remains This Week VIDEO: Fire Destroys School Built In 1930s RAW VIDEO: Flames, Plumes Of Smoke Coming From Old School SLIDESHOW: Flames Engulf Old SeaTac School
Video showed huge flames and plumes of smoke coming primarily from the roof. Fire ripped through the plywood that covered the windows at the abandoned school.
The first responding firefighters made it inside, but officials said they quickly turned back because they feared the building would collapse.
After the fire burned for more than a hour, all that remained was the brick structure that was originally built back in 1937.
“I called my mom and told her to call up my other brothers and sisters and tell them because we all got memories here,” said Jeff Powell who saw the smoke from Interstate 5.
Powell attended the elementary school here in the 1970s.
The school has boards covering the windows and a fence around it with no trespassing signs on it. It appears the school has been abandoned for some time.
The Port of Seattle bought the property in 2005. A spokesman told KIRO 7 that there are no firm plans for the school yet, but that the building will have to eventually be torn down.
Arson investigators will try to determine the cause of the fire, once they ensure the structure is safe.
Firefighters said it’s too early to call the fire suspicious or accidental.
SeaTac police said there have been occasional problems with people going inside the abandoned school.
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