Powell Elementary Fire 12 Gallery: Powell Elementary Fire

The roof of the Powell Elementary School building collapsed about 9:40 Friday night as two Birmingham fire ladder trucks sprayed water trying to contain a three-alarm fire.

Birmingham City Schools spokeswoman Michaelle Chapman said the school was built in 1888 and is the city's oldest remaining school building.

The school, at the intersection of Sixth Avenue North and 23rd Street North, has been closed for about 8-10 years.

William Dean was driving home through downtown when he saw the clouds of smoke from Second Avenue.

Dean said although he saw no fire at that time, he called the fire department shortly before 9 p.m.

"I always appreciated the building. It's a landmark," Dean said.

The school system no longer owns the property.

Under Larry Langford's administration, the building and several others were deeded to the city in exchange for a $3 million loan.

"Langford desired to have it turned into a museum, but that never happened," Chapman said.