WARREN, Ark. – Firefighters responded to a major fire which broke out in the north end of the Warren High School building Wednesday evening, March 30, 2022.
Around 6:15 p.m. firefighters from the Warren Fire Department arrived on the scene of a fire that appeared to have originated near or in the auxiliary gym at Warren High School. Within fifteen minutes the north end of the building was nearly completely engulfed, as firemen worked diligently to suppress the blaze.
Multiple agencies from the surrounding area responded to support Warren’s Fire Department. Crews from Bradley County Rural, Banks, as well as the Monticello Fire Department came to aid in the effort.
The Warren Police Department and the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department was also fast on the scene to set up a protective zone for firemen to work.
With full gear on, including masks and oxygen tanks, firemen surrounded the building on the north, east, and west sides. The ladder truck was utilized to get above the fire from the east, while firemen on the ground level used hoses to go after the orange flames from the north and west.
Huge blooms of black and gray smoke rose swiftly from the scene and drifted toward the north with the prevailing winds towards Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium a quarter of a mile away. Smoke could be also seen billowing out even from the south end of the High School.
The fire appeared to be mostly contained around 8:00 p.m. with the aid of a torrential downpour and the firefighters efforts.
No information is available yet as to what started the fire, or if anyone was inside the building at the time of the outbreak.
Warren School District Superintendent Bryan Cornish released the following statement to all students and staff of the District:
“Due to a fire tonight at Warren High School, all Warren School District students and staff will pivot to an AMI day tomorrow, Thursday, March 31. All students and staff will work remotely. We will post updates as soon as they become available.”
SRC will have more information on the fire as it is made available.
Photos from the scene as the fire unfolded
