Old Farmington High School Fire Causes Heavy Damage

(Farmington, IL) -- Fire investigators are looking into a fire that occurred at the old Farmington High School in Farmington on Thursday. Firefighters from 14 area fire departments were dispatched to the blaze that occurred early yesterday morning. Firefighters were dispatched from the Farmington Fire Department initially on the report of smoke coming from the building that is currently the Old School Center, a family retreat center. Melissa Pasley, a resident of Farmington who attended all four years of high school in the building says that yesterday was a sad day for the community. The old Farmington High School was built in 1925 and was occupied by the Farmington Central School District as its high school until 2004 when the district completed the building of new buildings that house the elementary, junior high and high school on the east side of Farmington. In 2005, Spark and Dan Meister bought the 75,000 square foot building which is now The Old School Center, a family retreat center. Authorities say they are not sure where the fire started or what caused it, that remains under investigation. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Firefighters remained on the scene over night and are expected to continue to be at the East Vernon Street building throughout the day.