No classes again tomorrow for students at Loftis Middle School.
They hope to reopen by Wednesday.
Vandals ransacked part of the building and set it on fire early Monday morning.
It was vandalism and arson and Hamilton county investigators are being very thorough in seeking clues to who broke in early today and caused thousands of dollars in damage.
911 received the first alarm at 2:30 a.m. and sent Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department the scene.
Firefighters didn't find any fire as they entered the building, but they did find evidence of vandalism at the main office area.
They also heard noises indicating the suspects could still be inside the building, so they left until the Sheriff's department arrived.
JANICE ATKINSON, HAMILTON SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT "The sheriff's office was notified and due to the large area to be searched, the SWAT was activated to come over here..and to search the school. "
When the firefighters came outside, they spotted evidence of a fire in the right front part of the building.
JANICE ATKINSON "There was a fire, but that occurred after the voluntary fire department left the building...it was in the school lounge area...as well as one classroom...that was taken care of very quickly by the fire department."
But the damage was done.
DR. LEE MCDADE, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT "One room, the teachers lounge had a couch in it..and that couch was set on fire. That's the only room that had any fire damage...and in doing that, the sprinklers in that room went off. The sprinklers put out about 50 gallons of water per minute..and they ran for 2 and a half hours."
Assistant superintendent Dr. Lee McDade went to the school this morning, and told us that he was not allowed inside as investigators continued their search for clues to the identity of the vandal or vandals.
DR. LEE MCDADE "I counted five broken windows..and there are more than that I didn't see. I wasn't allowed to go around behind the building..I don't know what was done behind the building."
Dr. McDade says the vandals also broke into vending machines at the field house.
Sheriff's investigators are spending a lot of time trying to find out who did it.
