Police Say Arson the Cause of Fire that Destroyed Historic Schoolhouse

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department believes that an early morning fire that destroyed a Michigan historic landmark was a case of arson and has issued a reward of $5,000 for information leading to an arrest or conviction for the crime.

On Jan. 25, the Howell Area Fire Department responded to a call at 2 a.m. at the Fleming School House at 497 W. Grand River, according to a press release from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department.

Police say the roof of the building was completely involved when the fire department arrived 11 minutes after the call and the fire was spreading into the structure. It was contained 45 minutes after the arrival of the fire department and after an investigation was determined the fire was set intentionally and is considered a case of arson.

According to a press release, the Fleming School House in Howell was built in 1880 and had held classes there until the 1950’s. Restored in the 1990’s the building was owned by Howell Public Schools and was named a Michigan Historic Site in 1994.

Cared for by the Fleming School Agency, area schoolchildren would attend daylong, history themed field trips at the school but the building was closed and secure for winter at the time of the fire, according to the press release.

The fire is under investigation by the Detective Bureau of the Livingston County Sheriff Department and the Howell Area Fire Marshal.

To report any information, call:

• 800-44-ARSON
• Livingston County Sheriff’s Department at 517-546-2440
• Howell Area Fire Marshal at 517-546-0560
• Crime Stopper at 1-800-SPEAK-UP