By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday afternoon, an employee with Niles Township noticed smoke coming from the chimney of the old Bell School Building, located on Bell Road.
"I was actually leaving and when I went to pull out of the parking lot (at the Township Hall) I noticed smoke coming from the roof," Tracy Vines, zoning administrator said. "I ran inside and told Richard Cooper (Township trustee and volunteer firefighter) that smoke was coming from the building and he contacted the fire department."
It was unclear what exactly started the fire, but Vines said it could have been an electrical problem, as wires still run to the building.
Vines also stated that Cooper noticed a vehicle pulling away from the building around 1 p.m. At this time it is unknown if that vehicle had anything to do with the fire.
"I just don't know why anyone would be pulling out of there. I don't even know how anyone could get in the building because it's all boarded up," Vines said.
Just last month, Niles Township Building Inspector Jeff Dunlap and Fire Chief Gary Brovold inspected the Children's Fun House, which is located behind the Bell School Building. The Children's Fun House had to be closed due to the fact that it didn't comply with current codes, which would include the immediate installation of a sprinkler system, fire alarm panel and several additional items.
In previous years, the Bell School Building housed the Niles Haunted House before it was moved to its new location on Mayflower Road.
"We all said it's a good thing the Fun House was closed. It's not in the same building, but this could have happened on a Saturday afternoon when kids were around," Vines added.
Despite the fact that the Fun House has been located in the same structure since 1996 and never has experienced one single safety problem, Niles Township officials felt it was time for the building to comply with current codes.