Arson suspected in fire at abandoned school west of Firebaugh

Arson is suspected in a fire at an abandon school west of Firebaugh that severely damaged two buildings, Fresno County Fire officials said.

Two separate buildings were on fire when firefighters arrived around 9 p.m Sunday, said Battalion Chief Vince Bergland. Firefighters located two other fire starters in the school building that did not ignite, he said.

Oro Loma Elementary School, on Russell Avenue north of Shaw Avenue in an area surrounded by farm fields, has been abandon for about seven years and has recently faced a string of fires. Last weekend, one of the abandon homes on the property that used to house employees caught fire and burned 25 acres of grass, Bergland said.

The buildings have no power, gas or water, making it a challenge to extinguish, Bergland said. The fire was contained around midnight, with crews at the site until 4 a.m. Monday mopping up, Bergland said.

No injuries were reported and an investigation is underway. The Fresno County Fire Department is asking anyone with more information to call the fire protection office at 559-493-4300.

This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 8:05 PM with the headline "Arson suspected in fire at abandoned school west of Firebaugh."