Fire ruins summer school

A suspicious fire that started in portable bathrooms severely damaged the electrical system at Foothill Intermediate School in Loma Rica, causing about $70,000 worth of damage, officials said Thursday.

The fire appeared to be caused by vandalism, said Jami Marros, a spokeswoman for the Marysville Joint Unified School District.

Gary Cavanaugh, battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said the Loma Rica Fire Department received the call at 6:19 p.m. Wednesday.

Because the portable restrooms were not located near the building, no structural damage was incurred.

"It basically burned out the main power supply, but the Fire Department put it out before it reached the building," Marros said. "We're now working on getting that replaced and we will be up and running before school starts."

Summer school at Foothill will be shifted to nearby Loma Rica Elementary School through July 15. Classes resume July 6.

Marros said the damage was estimated to be "somewhere in the neighborhood" of $60,000 to $70,000.

"The most important thing is, it didn't happen when any kids were around, because that is a school's worst fear," she said.

Foothill has fire alarms and smoke detectors. Marros said all schools have multiple drills each year to train them how to properly respond in an emergency.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Kymm Mann can be reached at 749-4708. You may e-mail her at kmann@appealdemocrat.com.