Crime & Safety

Fire Engulfs Coto de Caza Classroom, Damages School

The cause of an early morning fire at a vacant Coto de Caza elementary school is under investigation.

A fire destroyed one classroom and damaged several others today inside a vacant school in Coto de Caza, a fire department spokesman said.

The blaze inside the Merryhill elementary school -- closed since 2010 -- was reported at 11:36 p.m. Wednesday, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi.

The OCFA dispatched 35 firefighters to the scene and finally knocked down the fire at 1:01 a.m., Concialdi said.

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“Firefighters did a great job keeping the flames from burning a next- door stable and the horses inside there,” Concialdi said.

No injuries were reported, Concialdi said.

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Since the school was closed down, the fire remained under investigation, he said.

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