CaptionThe State Bureau of Investigation and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office are investigating a fire at Douglas Byrd Middle School in Fayetteville.
Firefighters got a call about a fire at the school at 1616 Ireland Drive at about 10 p.m. Wednesday night.
"There were huge flames coming from the back side of the roof. A lot of smoke," said Debbie Tanna with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators believe the fire started on the roof of the gym. It collapsed the roof and damaged the cafeteria next door, where part of the roof also collapsed.
They don't know yet how the fire started.
"At this time there's nothing that indicates that it was arson. But we're not ruling it out," Tanna said.
The fire could have started with lightning, an electrical problem, or fireworks, Tanna said. The investigation could go on through the holiday weekend, she added.
"You feel a variety of emotions," said Wanda McPhaul, the spokeswoman for Cumberland County Schools. "We are very thankful that there were no people in the building."
School officials hope the classrooms were not seriously damaged, and that they can be cleaned up before students go back to class on August 25, McPhaul said.
Students may have to share the cafeterias and gyms of two other schools nearby.
"With a little scheduling and creativity we can get kids fed. We have athletic facilities all around that we can share," McPhaul said.
About 650 seventh and eighth graders go to Douglas Byrd Middle School.
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