A modular unit at Gainesville High School was damaged in a fire early Thursday morning.
Gainesville City School Superintendent Jeremy Williams said he got the call at 2:45 a.m., but at this point they don't know what caused the fire.
"We're in the process of working with the fire department, the police department to hopefully rule out arson, determine if its an electrical fire, determine if it was from a lightning strike."
Williams said the modular unit is located behind the Ninth Grade Center, or Woods Mill Academy, and was part of the former Lanier Tech set up at the school.
"For us at the school system, we're fortunate it was a building that was not being used to house students or to have classes in at this time. We were transitioning that modular to use for the rest of the school year and next school year. But the good news is that everybody's safe, there was no damage to a lot of things in that unit because it have been recently vacated"
As for the damage to the modular unit, Williams said it was actually nearing the end of its useful life.
"That modular in particular, over the next few years, we were going to be demolishing it. So what it has done is basically sped up our process," said Williams. "We do not feel like there's anything inside we would be able to salvage from the smoke damage and the fire damage. So we will be working with the insurance company to figure out what our options are there."
Williams added he appreciated the support and response from the police and fire departments, especially in investigating the cause of the fire.
Thursday
October 24th, 2024
10:28AM
