Investigators Calling Historic Tracy Schoolhouse Fire Suspicious
TRACY (CBS13) — A one-room schoolhouse used to teach kids about the days of pioneers was damaged in a fire that scorched the historic Tracy building.
Investigators are now calling last week's fire at Lammersville School suspicious.
The school stood tall since the late 1800s before the blaze.
Firefighters say it appears it started through a vent at the base of the schoolhouse.
"That is really sad, because that was a great attraction I always loved," said neighbor Billie Bolden.
Firefighters first got the call of a brush fire in the park about 75 feet from the historic site. Two hours later, another call would come in—this time the schoolhouse was on fire.
The fire left significant smoke damage. Firefighters moved antique desks and other classroom supplies as they knocked down the flames.
Joshua Bolden, 11, has fond memories of his third-grade field trip.
"We learned how they did school with all the quill pens," he said. "It was pretty fun, and now those kids won't be able to do it anymore, which is pretty sad."
The schoolhouse fire is the latest problem for the usually quiet park. Graffiti fills the bathroom building, and the city says vandals have targeted the place.
The city estimates the fire caused about $35,000 of damage. For now it remains boarded up while the city works to see if it can be restored.