Breaking news: Firefighters called to former Webster Elementary School
Lead Summary
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By Jim Matticks
The Highland County Press
A three-alarm fire was reported at approximately 6:11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25 at the former Webster Elementary School located on West Walnut Street in Hillsboro.
Upon arrival, Hillsboro and Paint Creek firefighters discovered smoke billowing out of the structure and an active fire in the rear basement portion of the building.
Additional firefighters from Lynchburg, Leesburg, Southern Highland, Marshall and Wilmington were called in to help battle the blaze and clear the building of all occupants and hazards.
The commanding firefighters inside the blaze were Dave Manning from Lynchburg and David Snider Jr. from Hillsboro.
The firefighters radioed their needs to the accountability firefighters located outside, James Ewing from Lynchburg and Scott Miller from Paint Creek. Working in unison, six different fire departments, Wilmington being called off en route, achieved a common goal, to put out the fire without injury.
At roughly 6:45 p.m., the fire was extinguished and the firefighters were working on clearing the smoke and debris from the former school.
According to Scott Miller, “smoke damage was extensive throughout the building but it appeared the fire was contained to the back basement portion of the building.”
The cause of the fire was not immediately determined, but is under further investigation.
The Webster building has not been used by Hillsboro City Schools for many years. In recent years, the building was used by the Hillsboro Christian Academy.
Firefighters had the fire out in approximately 15 minutes; however, it took a long time to get the smoke from the building.
The Highland County Press
A three-alarm fire was reported at approximately 6:11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25 at the former Webster Elementary School located on West Walnut Street in Hillsboro.
Upon arrival, Hillsboro and Paint Creek firefighters discovered smoke billowing out of the structure and an active fire in the rear basement portion of the building.
Additional firefighters from Lynchburg, Leesburg, Southern Highland, Marshall and Wilmington were called in to help battle the blaze and clear the building of all occupants and hazards.
The commanding firefighters inside the blaze were Dave Manning from Lynchburg and David Snider Jr. from Hillsboro.
The firefighters radioed their needs to the accountability firefighters located outside, James Ewing from Lynchburg and Scott Miller from Paint Creek. Working in unison, six different fire departments, Wilmington being called off en route, achieved a common goal, to put out the fire without injury.
At roughly 6:45 p.m., the fire was extinguished and the firefighters were working on clearing the smoke and debris from the former school.
According to Scott Miller, “smoke damage was extensive throughout the building but it appeared the fire was contained to the back basement portion of the building.”
The cause of the fire was not immediately determined, but is under further investigation.
The Webster building has not been used by Hillsboro City Schools for many years. In recent years, the building was used by the Hillsboro Christian Academy.
Firefighters had the fire out in approximately 15 minutes; however, it took a long time to get the smoke from the building.
The fire caused little structural damage, but smoke damage was throughout much of the building.
The final units from the Hillsboro Fire Department left the scene about 9:30 p.m.
Eight department either responded or were on standby, including: Hillsboro, Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District, Highland County North Joint Fire & Ambulance District, Southern Highland Volunteer Fire Department, Lynchburg Area Joint Fire Ambulance District, Marshall Fire Department, New Vienna Fire Department and Wilmington Fire Department.
The Hillsboro Police Department also responded and is assisting with the investigation.
The fire remains under investigation.[[In-content Ad]]