Elementary School Gutted By Fire

Saturday, October 20th 2007, 12:10 pm

By: News On 6

Fire guts an elementary school in a small Creek County town. Most of Mounds Elementary burned after a fire suddenly broke out in the gymnasium about 10 a.m. Saturday. The News On 6â€™s Chris Wright reports, as is the case in most small towns, Mounds Schools mean the world to the community, and Saturday morning, the town of 1,200 lost a source of pride.

The fire that began in the roof of Mounds Elementary gymnasium quickly burned out of control. The roof collapsed, flames and smoke poured out and the blaze spread to neighboring classrooms.

Firefighters from Mounds, and more than half a dozen other towns, struggled to contain the blaze, while school employees rushed to salvage what they could. While upset, teachers were thankful no students were inside.

"We're blessed that this is a Saturday, and not a day when the kids are here," said Pamela Boatwright, Mounds teacher.

Most of Mounds showed up to check out the spectacular fire, and offer their help. Nearly all the residents told The News On 6 that this is where they went to school when they were kids, and the superintendent was not surprised by the turnout.

"Just about everyone in this town graduated from this school, everyone went here. This was part of our heritage, part of our lives, it's sad now,â€ said school custodian Diana Banks.

"It's a small community. This is what happens in Oklahoma, they come out in droves to do whatever they can to help out," Mounds Superintendent Gary Lundy said.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. Authorities with the State Fire Marshall's office say the fire was so intense, it may be Monday or Tuesday before it cools down enough for them to begin their investigation. Meanwhile, parents are wondering where their kids will have class.

"It's really tough, we moved here for the school. I like the fact that they're all in one block. Now I don't know where they're going to go," parent Heather Rose said.

Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the neighboring junior high and high schools. The News On 6 asked Superintendent Lundy if classes would be cancelled for the immediate future. He said he hopes the fire will not disrupt the school year too much. He also told us that ministers in Mounds have already volunteered to allow the school to use their churches as classrooms.

This is the second fire in as many days at an Oklahoma school. Fire damaged the gymnasium of East Central High School in Tulsa on Friday.

Watch the video: Elementary School Heavily Damaged By Fire

WEB EXTRA: Fire Guts Elementary School

WEB EXTRA: Firefighters Battle To Save Elementary School

Related Story:

10/19/2007 Fire Heavily Damages High School