ANAHEIM : Private School Badly Damaged by Arson

At least $250,000 in damage was sustained by a nationally recognized private school when an arsonist set a late-night fire to a campus annex, gutting one classroom and damaging other sections of the building, authorities said Friday.

More than 44 firefighters battled the Thursday night blaze, which investigators say was deliberately set at three areas at the Fairmont Private Elementary School.

Classrooms for preschool pupils, kindergartners and first-graders are housed in the one-story wooden building on Citron Street.

Anaheim arson investigators were seeking suspects or a motive for the fire. Insurance is expected to cover the damage.

“I don’t know what kind of weirdo would torch the building like this,” said David Jackson, the school’s executive director. “It’s heartbreaking.”

In May, Fairmont received the U.S. Department of Education’s highest honor, the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award.

Jackson said teachers and parents will spend the weekend cleaning and mopping up so that the school can greet more than 200 summer session students Monday before they are transported to the main campus, a mile west, on Maple Street, Jackson said.

The fire was reported at 11:19 p.m. Thursday. Fire crews at first found black smoke and flames surrounding one third of the building, which was formerly a YMCA.

Fire Department spokesman Gary Wilder said the fire was difficult to control because the classrooms were locked up and the crews had trouble maneuvering equipment inside the building. No injuries were reported.

Anaheim fire investigator Michael Feeney said the arsonist started the three fires by pouring flammable liquid at the school’s patio area and an outside doorway. The arsonist also apparently broke a window and poured liquid inside one of the rooms, Feeney said.

“We have zero suspects at this time,” he said. “We have no disgruntled teachers or students to think of. This is a very unusual situation.”

Feeney said the department is asking that anyone who witnessed the arson or suspicious activities near the school Thursday night to call the Anaheim Fire Department.