BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- An early morning fire all but destroyed a Bellingham middle school that has served Whatcom County kids for more than 100 years.
The school district Web site says classes are canceled for students at Whatcom Middle School until Nov. 12.
The three-alarm fire broke out around 1 a.m. Thursday and quickly spread through the historic school located in the 800 block of Halleck Street. Fire Chief Bill Boyd said it had burned through most of the roof within 15 minutes.
Witnesses watched flames light up the night sky in downtown Bellingham as an important piece of its history and school system went up in smoke.
"Looked out window across street and fire big huge flames 20-feet tall all across school," said Billy Spinks, witness.
The fire spread so quickly, the 100 or so firefighters at the scene were forced to take a defensive stance. Boyd said firefighters did a quick search of the school and found no one inside before they were forced to withdraw.
The roof and the library collapsed and the flames spread throughout the third floor of the school. By 8 a.m., firefighters managed to contain the flames and were putting out any remaining embers. While the fire didn't spread to the first and second floors, those floors sustained considerable water damage from the firefight.
The fire also caused spotty power outages that affected a number of customers, including the Bellingham Police Department.
Built in 1903, Whatcom Middle School was undergoing a seismic retrofit to help it withstand an earthquake. As late as 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, welders were seen working on the roof. A couple hours later, a neighbor saw flames. Right now, investigators can't say for sure what started the fire, but what kept going were strong winds.
"We were on the side over there and where the library used to be. It collapsed and all the stuff came down," said Brianna Graham, one of several hundred students who attend Whatcom Middle School. "I don't want it to burn down. It's 110 (years old) - my dad went here. I love the teachers. It's like the best school. I love it here."
Both current and former students are saddened by the loss.
"I don't want to go to any other school. This is my favorite school and I love it," said one student.
"I graduated from Whatcom Middle School in 1975," said one firefighter. "It's in the hearts of all Bellingham firefighters."
