Cleanup and investigation continue at Baker City’s historic Central School Building
By Joe Hathaway on Monday, August 12th, 2024 in Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — Cleanup efforts at the site of the May 22 fire at the historic Central School Building in Baker City continue, while the investigation into the cause of the blaze remains ongoing.
Alpine Abatement, a contractor based in Redmond, Oregon, has been leading the cleanup since July 8. The Baker School District says the work has involved removing walls, relocating perimeter fencing to improve access, and focusing on debris removal inside the building. Most asbestos-containing materials have been cleared, and salvageable stone has been set aside. Damaged stone and other debris have also been removed.
Baker Technical Institute plans to offer the salvaged stone to the public on August 21 and 22, with further details to be provided. Contractors are expected to complete the rock removal and begin backfilling the basement area before proceeding with asphalt and concrete work around the site. The cleanup is anticipated to be finished before the start of the school year later this month.
The fire that gutted the 108-year-old building, which had been vacant since 2009, began around 6:30 a.m. on May 22. Dozens of local firefighters battled the flames throughout the day, but the roof collapsed, and the interior was destroyed.
Oregon State Police say that the criminal investigation into the cause of the fire is still active, with no new details to release at this time.
