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Show Fire Destroys Tropic School The 39 year old wooden trame rchool house at Tropic ended Its career In a blase ot glory Tuesday, Dec. 1, being entirely demolished by a spectacular blase which lor a while threatened to engulf nearby buildings. The lire was discovered by ths school principal, Walter D. Tal- tu bot, about 6 p.m. and was soon raging out or control. Appeals to fi Pangultch and Bryce Canyon ; brought volunteers and tire righting equipment, but lack of nearby heavy stream water supply limited the Rre fighting efforts to bucket brigades. The old school had been con-demned, as a tire trap, and was , number one In the state on the list ot schools to be replaced. A recently passed bond Issue hail rained funds for a new building, and plans were being prepared ror it. Some 203 pupils from kindergarten through high school attended school in the rickety build, lng which possessed one wooden fire escape. The Inside staircase was not used, being condemned some years back. Each room was heated by pot bellied stoves. In, o recent school survey it was rated as the worse tire trap ot schools now In use throughout the state. Mr. Floyd Holm, superintendent ot Garfield County Schools, reached Tropic on business just as the tire was starting at the school, He says the tire started In a boys rest room which was a small detached building between the school building proper and the school annex. It Is thought the oil heater .used to heat the rest room exploded. Mr, Holm said that of a "Cat" or bulldoxer had been available the Tent room structure rauld have been pushed away from ,the main building before it caught tire. No water except a slow run from nearby garden hoses and - " kitchen taps waa available, and the fire in so small a building as the rest room was quickly out of control. Much of the equipment was saved from the school, and almost nil of the supplies. Much expensive equipment, such as stove, sewing machines, and other home economics stuff, was housed In another building across the street and shop equipment was housed' In a separate shop; annex. Mr. Holm, Mr. Talbot. Mr. Wallace Ott, school board member. -and church and civic officials are conferring on making other build, lugs and space available for classes. According to Mr. Holm, tho classes will be resumed before the week Is out. |