Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Fire forced the evacuation of more than 150 middle school-aged children from the Lakeland Youth Center Friday evening.
There were no injuries.
Fire broke out at about 7:15 p.m. during a middle school dance. The dance began at 7 p.m.
The children were first evacuated into a parking lot by youth center board members and volunteers who were serving as chaperones for the event.
The children then were escorted to the Knights of Columbus hall a half block away to wait to be picked up by parents. Members of the Knights were called in to open up their building.
The Syracuse Fire Department brought the blaze under control within a half hour. Firemen remained on the scene until after 9 p.m., checking for hot spots.
Most of the damage was confined to the attic, but a large portion of the building's interior also sustained smoke and water damage.
Portions of the ceiling were removed to gain access to the attic.
Also damaged was equipment used in the center's gymnastics program. Damage estimates were not immediately available.
Firemen believe the blaze was caused by a short in the wiring to an outdoor flood lamp mounted on the roof.
Burn patterns in the attic indicated the fire had been smoldering for as many as two or three hours before the dance began, firemen said.
Firemen said that if the building had not been in use Friday evening, damage probably would have been much more severe.
Center director, Terry Skaggs, said that cleanup will begin immediately. He added that many of the center's programs will not be affected because they take place at other locations. To check the status of programs, call 457-3055.
The center hosts several dances for middle school students during the school year.
Entertainment for the dance was being provided by a seventh-grade rock band, "Truffula Trees." The band was performing its third number when fire broke out.
