Part of Oakdale Elementary collapses as school burns

Oakdale Elementary School on fire. (Source: Joseph Lockett / Oakdale Police Chief)

OAKDALE, LA (KPLC) - A massive fire destroyed part of Oakdale Elementary School late Wednesday afternoon.

The fire started around 3:45 p.m. or 4 p.m., just after the assistant principal left the school, said Allen Parish School Board Superintendent Mike Doucet.

The cause of the fire isn't yet known, Doucet said.

At least 15 to 20 classrooms were lost.

No one was in the building when it caught fire and no firefighters were in the building when it collapsed, Doucet said. The school is not holding summer school.

Smoke could be seen from miles away.

Because Oakdale does not have a large fire department, multiple agencies from surrounding areas responded to the fire, Oakdale Police Chief Joseph Lockett said.

While much of the fire is out, firefighters are expected to continue to work on the flames throughout the night.

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