Fire damages Fredericktown middle school

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- A fire ripped through a Southeast Missouri middle school.

Broadcaster KTVI reported that 911 dispatchers received a call around 11:40 p.m. Saturday from someone reporting smoke coming from Fredericktown Middle School.

Firefighters from several surrounding departments rushed to the school in Fredericktown, about 90 miles south of St. Louis.

Madison County Sheriff David Lewis said the fire started in the main office, but quickly spread through the rest of the school.

He feared the building could be a total loss.

The cause of the blaze has not been determined, but fire officials say there is no evidence to suggest it was suspicious.

Superintendent Kelly Burlison said the district is in planning mode trying to figure out how to shuffle students.