Community devastated after flames gut historic Hildebran schoolhouse

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — A beloved landmark, the old Hildebran schoolhouse, was gutted after a raging fire tore through the building early Monday morning.

Firefighters from across Burke County were called before dawn to help put out flames at the old schoolhouse.

The first fire crews were called to 202 South Center Street just after 5 a.m. and reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the building, right next to the Town Hall.

The building is nearly 100 years old and is the center of controversy in the town. Town leaders decided about a year ago to tear down the building, setting off a fierce court battle with those wanting to keep it.

Channel 9 saw some neighbors fighting back tears as they watched fire engulf the historic landmark.

Smoke and flames jumped through the roof and burning chunks of the building fell to the ground. Firefighters told Channel 9 that not only did the roof collapse, but much of the second floor as well.

There is fencing around the building to prevent people from trespassing.

Channel 9 learned that the mayor of Hildebran had to be guarded by deputies after officials said she was threatened when she arrived on the scene.

Firefighters focused their efforts on saving Town Hall, which is right next door.

The mayor told Channel 9 that firefighters went inside and removed the town's computer, but fortunately Town Hall was not damaged.

Firefighters had to take a defensive posture and could not enter the building because the fire was so intense. Firefighters were also concerned about floors buckling as well as asbestos in the building.

There was no word on what started the fire but the fire chief told Channel 9 he believed it began in the basement and then spread upwards.

Officials have confirmed that there was power running to portions of the building, but Channel 9 spoke with several people who believe the fire may have been intentionally set.

Hildebran Elementary School officials said students would be kept inside for most of the day because of all the smoke.

The SBI and ATF will now be helping with the investigation into this large fire.

The roof collapsed and also much of the second floor.

The first firefighters on the scene reported smoke coming from the basement and the fire spreading quickly from there to the upper floors. Forty minutes after Channel 9 arrived, the fire broke through the roof engulfing much of the old Hildebran school house built nearly 100 years ago.
 
"It's a piece of my heart- it's a piece of my heart going up over there.  I said a while ago we need to make a positive out of this, but how do you make a positive out of this," resident Marty Smith said.
 
"Sad day. Sad day for Hildebran. Just devastating for a lot of people here that have lived here all their lives to watch this go down," resident Robert Cline said.
 
For the last year, residents have fought to save the building from demolition after town leaders voted to tear it down. We could see the mayor being escorted by sheriff's deputies Monday morning after he said she was threatened. 
 
She has been very vocal for the last year that the building needed to go.
 
"I have no clue why I'm being threatened.  What did they say to you?   It has been said indirectly and to me and even one of the officers had to calm them down," Mayor Jennie Cook said.
 
Channel 9 has learned there is power running to portions of the building.  Concerns over asbestos and the floors possibly buckling kept firefighters out for much of the morning to keep anyone from getting hurt. 
 
Many of the people believe the fire was set  because of the recent controversy over whether or not to tear it down.
 
"It was arson. They wanted rid of it," one resident said.

"This boils down to me in my mind how much you believe in coincidence," said another resident.
 
Right now, though, firefighters said they don't have a cause.
 
A lot of credit going to firefighters Monday for saving the town hall which is right next door.
 
The chief said the fire did cause some minor smoke and water damage to the town hall.

Cox Media Group