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Whatcom Middle School Fire in Bellingham: Cause Not Known: Videos

by Amy Judd | November 5, 2009 at 09:39 am

1994 views | 10 Recommendations | 13 comments

Whatcom Middle School in Bellingham, Washington, was on fire last night but the cause of the fire is still not known.

The fire broke out in the school building at about 1am and due to strong winds, it burned until dawn causing the roof and some other parts of the 106 year old building to collapse beyond repair. No one was found inside the school at the time of the fire.

The building was undergoing a seismic retrofit however, with roofers working there until 10:30 pm on Wednesday, but it is not known at this time if that has anything to do with the fire.

The 580 students that attend the school will have to be sent to other schools while the repairs are made.

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madison scott (not verified)

at 11:59 on November 5th, 2009

i go to whatcom, and welding near the library caused the fire.

Amy Judd

at 12:10 on November 5th, 2009

Thank you for your update

Sassy Jane (not verified)

at 13:39 on November 5th, 2009

The investigation into the cause of the fire has not begun, so it is premature to report that welders caused the fire. It's an unconfirmed possibility at this point. It's usually best to avoid assumptions and wait for the official report.

Hayley Speek (not verified)

at 14:33 on November 5th, 2009

I also go to whatcom and I am happy that it happend when school was not haping yet. I am vary sad about it and hope I can go to shuksen!LOLOLOL

Dustin Hahn (not verified)

at 16:57 on November 5th, 2009

Your school burnt down and you say "LOLOLOL"? Did you think about all the good, hard-working teachers that possibly lost their jobs today? We are living in a recession! People have been getting laid off! We don't know if some of these teachers are gonna get their jobs back! It's going to take two years of work to put this school back together again along with millions of dollars. There is nothing funny about that! Times are bleak for a lot of people here. Choose your words carefully next time. Anyone and everyone is reading them!

Excuse you. (not verified)

at 18:20 on November 5th, 2009

shes only a 6th, 7th or 8th grader. calm down.

Jason77 (not verified)

at 17:00 on November 6th, 2009

Hayley, Your post is absolutely appalling. I hope you already know that.

shuksan person (not verified)

at 16:39 on November 5th, 2009

what the heck? i dont want all these whatcom kids coming to shuksan, this is so gayy

Jared Rodelas-Kent (not verified)

at 08:24 on November 6th, 2009

I am still in shock. Man, i went to this school years ago. Along with that my grandmother went there when it was the high school in Bellingham. What a LOSS! I feel the tone of territory and loyalty to our school in these kids emails.. I feel for you guys... btw, FMS is a much better choice..trust me! -Jared

Shae (not verified)

at 17:40 on November 8th, 2009

Whatcom Middle School was on fire and was sad to know about it.

Shae (not verified)

at 17:47 on November 8th, 2009

It was sad to know that Whatcom Middle School got on fire.

Shae (not verified)

at 18:05 on November 8th, 2009

I read in the newspaper and it said, "8th graders will go to Bellingham High School, 7th graeders will go to Fairhaven Middle School, and 6th graders will go to Geneve Elementary School."