Investigation into Baker City fire continues; historic building likely to be torn down
By Joe Hathaway on Friday, May 31st, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — The investigation into what caused the fire that gutted the historic Central School Building continues more than a week after the blaze.
Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Oregon State Police continue to gather evidence at the scene, which still remains dangerous after the 108-year-old building was severely damaged.
“Law enforcement is still working to determine whether this was arson or just an accident,” said Greg Baxter, District Attorney for Baker County who’s assisting in the investigation.
The fire began around 6:30am on Wednesday, May 22 and dozens of firefighters from the area fought it nearly the entire day. The roof of the building collapsed and fire officials say the inside of the building was “gutted.”
Neither the State Fire Marshal’s office or OSP could not say when the investigation could be completed.
The school was built in 1916 and according to records from Baker Technical Institute (BTI), was constructed by Ellis F. Lawrence, the founder of the School of Architecture at the University of Oregon. The 57,000 square foot building was home to Baker High School from 1917 to 1952 and Baker Middle School from 1953 to 2009. It has remained vacant since 2009.
It is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and according to BTI, is on the list of Oregon’s “most endangered places.”
The Baker School District says that reports from the Deputy State Fire Marshal and City Building Inspector involved have both indicated that the building is highly unsafe in its current state and most likely needs to come down sooner than later.
“It does look likely that the building will be required to come down,” said Lindsey Bennington-McDowell, spokesperson for the district.
