GARY, IND. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Emerson High School, the first high school built in Gary, Indiana, was heavily damaged in a fire Saturday night.
It’s the latest problem for the historic building that has been through rough times recently.
“I can’t believe water is still running out of it. I’m actually about to cry,” said Matthew Glass who was saddened to see what has become of his former high school.
The Gary Fire Department said strong winds spread flames in the century-old building that caught fire in June.
Glass told CBS-2 it’s been the site of a number of crimes, including the discovery of the body of a 17-year-old Chicago girl in 2015.
“There was a couple of things that happened here that was unusual for just the atmosphere around here. It was unfortunate,” Glass added.
No one was injured in this fire. The fire department is investigating the cause.
The building, which was the site of a student walkout in 1927 over racial integration at the high school, has been closed since 2008.
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