By: Richard L. Smith
The Newark Arson Department and Newark Board of Education officials were alerted to a fire that destroyed a portion of an elementary school Monday.
The early morning suspicious fire broke at the Wilson Avenue School in the Ironbound section around 3:17 a.m.
Crews were called to the scene after residents complained of smoke coming from the 3-story brick building.
When firefighters arrived, they found fire coming from a classroom/multi-purpose room on the Aleya Street side of the school.
Crews stretched several lines to pour water on the raging fire immediately. Firefighters were able to enter the building to check for trapped and injured occupants which resulted negatively.
Firefighters brought the fire under control in less than an hour.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
School opens in Newark for teachers tomorrow and it starts for children next Tuesday.