SAN JOSE, Calif.—A five-alarm fire at Trace Elementary School destroyed as many as 16 classrooms, causing an estimated $8 million in damages.
The July 5 fire was reported at 4:17 a.m., and quickly spread throughout the 28,000-square-foot campus. It was contained at 7:05 a.m., reports Mercury News. Fire authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze; however, they are treating the blaze as suspicious.
Two newer school buildings that housed classrooms, the cafeteria and the performance stages were spared as were the portable buildings located 20 feet from the main building.
The school is expected to reopen for the new school year on Aug. 16 with the help of portable classrooms. It will take an estimated two years to rebuild the school. Security officers will guard the campus while the school is rebuilt.
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