No one hurt after large flames tear through abandoned school building in East Spencer

SALISBURY, N.C. — A large structure fire in East Spencer required more than one department and one day to put it out.

The heavily involved fire began Saturday night around 6:30 p.m. along South Long Street at an abandoned school administration building.

Channel 9 was able to speak with East Spencer Fire Chief Shawn McBride. McBride told us that some of his firefighters were on the scene before the call came into dispatch due to the size of the fire.

We also learned that the fire was so severe that all working firemen had to be removed from the building. Crews tried fighting the fire from inside, but the flames quickly moved from the basement to the roof.

According to Assistant Chief Troy Agner, the first and second floor of the historic building fell into the basement.

For neighbors like Amanda Billings, the sight of the flames engulfing the century-old building will linger in her memory.

“That’s been a landmark here since I lived here, and everybody is very sad,” Billings said. “Just like the Dunbar Center is gone, now this is gone. I don’t know what they are going to do now.”

Billings says smoke filled her street while flames ripped through the building.

“My mom and dad both came back out and they said it was shooting up above the building,” Billings said. “We could smell it from inside even though our doors are shut.”

On Monday, McBride told Channel 9 that crews will likely be out at the scene for another three days while the fire continues to burn.

McBride acknowledged the other departments that came to assist ESFD, including Kannapolis Fire, Salisbury Fire, Rowan County Fire, Rowan County Emergency Services, and Locke Fire Department.

At this time, the fire is still under full investigation, and a full search of the building has yet to be done.

This is a developing story. Check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

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