Mahoning County career center rebuilds after blaze

CANFIELD — Students attending Mahoning County Career & Technical Center this fall will notice a lot of activity in what used to be the center’s northwest wing.

The rebuilding of that fire-gutted area is about to begin.

Roan Craig, superintendent, said demolition equipment to tear down the burned-out section began to arrive last week. There is some asbestos removal to be done before wholesale razing can begin, she said.

The school suffered a loss estimated at $14 million to $15 million in a May 2007 fire which forced its programs to consolidate into about 180,000 square feet of space from its original 220,000 square feet.

Authorities said the fire was deliberately ignited, and two students were later found guilty of obstructing official business in connection with the investigation. One of them was found innocent of an aggravated arson charge.

“We’re jammed in. We’re going to be jammed in this year,” Craig said.

It was hoped that demolition would begin with the close of school in June, but it wasn’t until July that the board was able to award the construction contract — which includes demolition — for the first phase of the rebuilding project.

“Everybody’s where we were last year,” Craig said, noting the school had 750 students last year and is anticipating the same number this fall.

Read more in Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com