Firefighters were battling a blaze Friday night at a long-closed Atlantic City school preparing to be demolished.
Heavy smoke could be seen for miles coming from New Jersey Avenue School, which closed its doors in 2012.
The school erected in 1925 was set to be razed to make way for a new administration building, Superintendent Dr. La'Quetta Small announced in July.
Contractors preparing for the demolition had left about an hour before the blaze started, Fire Chief Scott Evans told BreakingAC.
The good news was that all of the asbestos inside the building had been removed, he said.
"What we’re dealing with is all the internal combustions piling up inside the building for removal," Evans said around 8:45 p.m. "That's what's been burning for the last two hours."
After battling the fire from outside, firefighters were getting ready to go inside to get the fire out, he said.
"We have the contractors and school facilities people with us," Evans said.
Firefighters were all brought back in on recall to make sure the city is covered.
A preliminary investigation is underway.
The school is near Shiloh Baptist Church, where many were gathered for the viewing of Commissioner Ernest Coursey, who died earlier this week. He was the mayor's chief of staff.
Smoke is seen behind a flag honoring the late Ernest Coursey.A large flag could be seen nearby in honor of the beloved local leader.
Mayor Marty Small said he and the superintendent were headed to the scene.
Dr. Small put out a statement about the fire, noting that the building had not been used since 2012, and that it was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
"We are grateful to the Atlantic City Fire Department and first responders who are working diligently to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of the surrounding neighborhood," she said. "We are in close communication with city officials and emergency personnel as the situation develops."
Photo by David Nieves Jr.
