Fire tears through Wasatch Junior High

A six-alarm fire tore through Wasatch Junior High in Granite School District this afternoon.

Principal Doug Bingham and a handful of personnel were the only people in the building at the time. All were evacuated and safe.

District leaders say the fire started in a computer server in the school's media center a little after noon.

Bingham discovered flames coming out of the media center and called 911, while staff members attempted to put it out with extinguishers — to no avail.

The fire quickly moved to the attic and blazed through the building.

Around 3 p.m., fire units from all across the valley were at the site. The fire had gone through a majority of the building, portions of the roof had caved in and it was starting to burn the gym.

Wasatch Junior High, at 3750 South and 3100 East, is more than 45 years old.

Firefighters reported the school will likely be a total loss.

Some roads were closed in the area, and fire officials say about a half-dozen homes had to be evacuated as a precaution.

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