Horace Mann High School fire determined to be arson; no injuries reported

GARY — A fire that took place Wednesday at the abandoned Horace Mann High School was incendiary, the Gary Fire Department is reporting. 

Chief Sean O'Donnell confirmed that crews arrived at the scene around 8:30 a.m. to attack the blaze. It took about an hour and a half to quell the fire. The structure appears to be intact because the fire did not encompass the entire building.

The flames and black smoke emerged from the windows of the three-story structure, where the faces of eager adolescent learners were seen until the school closed in 2004. No injuries were reported in the fire, O'Donnell said. 

"It is always unfortunate when someone commits acts of vandalism within our closed school buildings," Gary Community School Corp. manager Paige McNulty said. "We are thankful that no one was injured and will continue to work with entities and individuals who are genuinely interested in purchasing properties. The ultimate goals include the elimination of eyesores and repurposing these locations for positive impact in our community."

The building has been vandalized numerous times since it was shut down, according to previous reports. The Garfield Street property was hit by an arsonist in May 2017, its auditorium destroyed in the blaze. The building was purchased by the Gary Housing Authority in 2020. More than 24 properties that were once fully operative schools were listed for sale in 2020. The school received offers on all properties. 

A report by The Times in 2019 showed that many of Gary's abandoned school buildings have been set aflame, painted with graffiti, looted and served as dwellings for squatters and gangs.