Aflame

Columbia, SC, School Fire Galvanizes a Community

A Columbia, SC, independent Montessori school is bouncing back from a devastating arson fire Nov. 14.

Montessori Early Learning Center & School of the Arts lost four of its seven classrooms in an evening fire that sent flames 80 feet in the air. Estimates put the loss at $300,000.

Two fire fighters sustained minor injuries, but no members of the school community, including the school's pet cat, were hurt. A school parent who was previously charged with stealing from the school was charged with arson.

After briefly considering closing the school, selling the land and retiring, owner Ina Lightner-Fort saw a community-wide effort that had classes in full session in three days.

"When I looked at the faces of staff, some of whom had been with the school for 30 years, my husband Tom and I decided we had to try," Lightner-Fort said.

Parents donated time, money and materials.

A 10-year-old graduate of the school wrote a letter of support and enclosed $20 he raised by selling his GameBoy on eBay.

The nearby Virginia Wingard United Methodist Church donated space and office equipment. "If it were not for the church, we would not be in business," Lightner-Fort said.

The school had a long-term relationship with the church through an annual fund-raising event, Lightner-Fort said. The church had classroom space that was going unused and church leaders were eager to help.

"There were some miracles here," Lightner-Fort said.

When the building was still steaming, the school's attorney went into the office, hacked away at the fallen ceiling and found the school's files, undamaged. "We knew there was nowhere to go without the files on children and paperwork for licensing," she said. "We retrieved every file, even the one on the cat. That spoke to me."

The next morning after sunrise, she walked into the school foyer and found among charred debris the school's license, undamaged. "I had a chill. Maybe it isn't the time to retire. From then forward, everyone has been there for us."

Operating out of makeshift space, the school was still able to mount its annual Arts Gala, including music, dance, readings and visual art by students Dec. 2 at the church.

The school has set a goal of reopening this spring. Insurance will cover some of the rebuilding costs, Lightner-Fort said, but handmade materials are irreplaceable. The school also lost almost all of its traditional primary and early elementary Montessori materials and would welcome donations.

To help: (803) 772-2262.