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A fire broke out in the Geary High School gymnasium on Saturday night, leading to the cancellation of classes on Monday. The blaze, which began around 10 p.m., was spotted by a deputy and quickly spread to parts of the school, including restrooms and a janitorial closet.
Blaine County Emergency Manager Jim Shelton praised the efforts of the firefighters, noting that over two dozen fire departments responded to the scene. Despite their efforts, the gymnasium was severely damaged and had to be torn down on Sunday. Shelton explained that the gym's brick walls were weakened by heat and age, necessitating their removal for safety reasons.
The fire has deeply affected the Geary community, with many residents expressing their sadness over the loss of the historic gym. David Wigington, a Geary High School alumnus, shared his emotional connection to the gym, recalling the many wrestling matches he participated in there.
Geary Public Schools Superintendent Sean Buchanan announced that students will not attend school on Monday, but plans are underway to resume classes later in the week. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing.
The fire was mostly contained to the gym, but some damage occurred in the high school, where it damaged a couple of classrooms and the cafeteria.