Marta Jewson

mjewson@stcloudtimes.com

Two granite columns, though toppled, appeared intact lying in the rubble that once was Roosevelt Early Education Center.

The St. Cloud school was destroyed by a Saturday night fire that kept firefighters on scene well into Sunday in a rain-soaked battle with flames concealed in unreachable crevices of the historical school.

Nestled under umbrellas, district administrators, and current and former teachers and students looked on and shared stories — sometimes through tears — as the storied building was torn down Sunday morning.

"It's a building that's rich in tradition," Superintendent Willie L. Jett II said.

The crashing of cinder blocks, bricks, wood and metal beams marked the end of the nearly 95-year-old school that was almost completely leveled by 11 a.m., about 12 hours after the fire was first reported.

"This is stunning," board member Bruce Mohs said. "Any building lost is a loss to the whole community."

Mohs and other district administrators said they were grateful for the fire crews who worked through the night.

"On behalf of the school board I would like to thank the firefighters who battled this blaze under extraordinarily difficult conditions," board president Jerry Von Korff said.

Von Korff said he is confident the district will be able to meet the needs of summer school students. He said he is hopeful some of the adapted equipment for special education students also may be salvageable. Up to 100 students were supposed to start summer school at the building on Tuesday.

The north part of the building appeared intact but may have suffered smoke and water damage.

The damage

The fire at the center — a former school now home to the St. Cloud school district's welcome center, a screening center and several preschool classes — could not be completely extinguished, so the structure had to be torn down.

St. Cloud Fire Chief Bill Mund said the fire broke through the roof, and firefighters had to retreat from the second floor.

The fire was concealed between rubber roofing and a previous roof that had been installed; there were no injuries according to the fire department.

"It's got to be in the millions of gallons," Mund said of the water used.

The report of the fire at 11:40 p.m. Saturday came shortly after some residents reported hearing a loud boom, possibly indicating a lightning strike, but the fire marshal will determine the cause.

There is no cost estimate yet. Jett said staff will begin inventory Monday.

Battling the blaze

As rain turned to sun more residents came to see the school for themselves. Scores of people already had come out during the night to watch the firefighters work.

"Oh my god," neighbor Gwen Kirlen kept repeating as she watched the firefighters in action early Sunday. "I looked out the window and this was going on," she said, gesturing to the scene.

Fire crews wrapped up their hoses and district workers put up an orange fence to keep outsiders from the debris pile. Mund said the debris would be assessed for any dangerous substances, such as asbestos.

In a biannual Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act asbestos surveillance report, Roosevelt has several areas identified, such as flooring and insulation; all are listed as "not damaged," except for two listings of damaged insulation. The report was issued in December 2012.

Cancellations, support

Jett said the district's most urgent need is to identify a location for the many services provided at the center.

Roosevelt staff are invited to gather at the District Administration Offices in conference room A for information and support from 1-3 p.m. Monday.

There has been an outpouring of support for teachers who lost their classrooms, Jett said. After meeting with staff the district will have a better handle on how and where to direct donations, he said.

Early childhood screening and the early childhood extended school-year program at Roosevelt are canceled this week.

Families will be receiving more information regarding scheduling and/or location changes.

The welcome center also will be closed this week.

Betty Midas, who lives near the school and attended the school in fifth and sixth grade, watched the fire Sunday morning. Her two children went to school there, too.

"It is so sad for all these little kids. I just feel so bad for them," Midas said.

Teachers, neighbors reflect on Roosevelt

Roosevelt school blaze makes for a long day for firefighters, community

Times staffers Dave Aeikens and Kate Kompas contributed to this report.

Contact reporter Marta Jewson at 320-255-8743 or on Twitter

@martajewson.