On Sunday afternoon, October 27, at approximately 3:43, the Palmer Fire Department responded to the former Palmer Elementary School for a possible structure fire with smoke visible from the building at the time of the call. Initial first responders immediately requested the additional response of mutual aid resources from surrounding fire departments for manpower and equipment, including two ladder trucks.
Upon arrival, Palmer Fire Department members reported heavy smoke in the upper auditorium & lower classroom section of the school. Crews immediately attempted to make entry but were met with heavy fire in the rear of the building in the stairwell.
Due to safety concerns of structural integrity, re-entry was abandoned at the rear entrance. Fire crews were able to enter the building’s main entrance and contain the fire to the auditorium section. An exterior attack continued from outside, with the auditorium ultimately collapsing.
The Palmer Fire Department stated in a Facebook post that Palmer Elementary School has been a staple in the community for over 98 years, and citizens are grieving due to this senseless act of arson.
Over 75 firefighters, Grundy EMS, and Law enforcement were present during the incident. The mutual aid fire departments that responded were Gruetli-Laager, Coalmont, Altamont, Sewanee, Tracy City, Monteagle, City of Dunlap, Pelham, and Whitwell Mountain. If you have any information regarding the fire, please get in touch with local Law enforcement or TBI Arson Department at 1-800-762-3017.
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