Eminence high school destroyed by fire

EMINENCE, Mo. -- Fire officials believe a blaze that damaged the 92-year-old Eminence High School may have been deliberately set.

Eminence volunteer fire chief Richard Tyler said state investigators continued to examine the damage at the Shannon County school Wednesday for evidence of arson.

About 170 students in grades seven through 12 will not go to classes this week because of Tuesday's fire.

High school principal Garry Cutts said the fire apparently began in the school library and was discovered by a school cook arriving early for work.

No one was injured by the blaze, which ruined wiring, electrical and roofing renovations installed last summer at a cost of $600,000.

The school was originally built in 1910.

Officials hope to clean the main classrooms on the school's lower floor for the students' return, possibly as early as Monday.