A $5,000 reward is being offered for information on the suspected arson of the former Palmer Elementary School in Grundy County after a fire Sunday gutted the auditorium building on the nearly 100-year-old campus, according to authorities.
Visible smoke was reported around 3:40 p.m. Sunday, according to a statement from the Palmer Volunteer Fire Department. The first firefighters to reach the school immediately called for backup from other area departments with additional firefighters and equipment.
Firefighters found heavy smoke in the upper auditorium and lower classroom section of the school, Palmer fire officials said.
“Crews immediately attempted to make entry but were met with heavy fire in the rear of the building in the stairwell,” fire officials said. “Due to safety concerns of structural integrity, reentry was abandoned in the rear entrance.”
(READ MORE: Grundy woman charged with arson in fire at home occupied by son and dog)