A Wednesday morning fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to this house in Woodside.WOODSIDE, Del.- The Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office has ruled arson the cause to a Wednesday morning fire that heavily damaged a house in Woodside.
The fire broke out shortly after 4 a.m. at the vacant home located on the 500 block of Tuxedo Lane. The Camden-Wyoming Fire Company, with the assistance of the Magnolia and Felton fire companies,responded to the scene.
The fire was placed under control in about an hour later with no injuries reported.
Neighbors in the area say the home was once a one-room schoolhouse for African-Americans.
"I used to go to school there when I was six years old," said Joyce Lewis, who lives on Tuxedo Lane. She was born and raised in the area. She said the school was once named Woodside. It was for African-American children in grades 1 through 6.
"My teacher's name was Mrs. Lola Gibs. It breaks my heart that someone would burn the place down," she said.
Investigators determined the blaze to be intentionally set and confirmed the structure had no occupants. Damages are estimated at $50,000.
Anyone with any information pertaining to this arson is asked to call the State Fire Marshal's Office Investigations Division at (302) 739-4447. Information can also be received by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333. Information can also be text by texting "DCS plus your message" to 274637 (crimes).
