In South Dallas, a blaze erupted at the deserted Maya Angelou High School early Sunday morning.
Dallas Fire-Rescue was notified of the fire just before 4:30 a.m. when an observer spotted flames emerging from the building’s roof. Initially, firefighters attempted to extinguish the fire from within the building. However, as the fire intensified, Dallas Fire-Rescue opted to shift to a defensive firefighting approach, reported Fox 4 KDFW.
Approximately 60-70 firefighters were called to the scene of the three-alarm fire to contain the spread of the flames. Dallas Fire-Rescue has stated that there have been no reported injuries, and the cause of the fire is presently unknown.
Maya Angelou High School is located at 3313 S. Beckley Avenue in Dallas.
The abandoned Dallas ISD school was “for pregnant and parenting scholars” with a focus “to provide a high quality educational experience customized for new and expectant young mothers. In a safe environment, monitored by a nurse, students receive guidance in analyzing their needs for graduation and attaining their life goals.”
The last data on the high school shows that during “the 2021-2022 school year, it had 11 students. 100% of students were considered at risk of dropping out of school. 45.5% of students were enrolled in bilingual and English language learning programs.”
Of the 11 students, six were Hispanic, four were Black, and one was Asian.
Maya Angelou excelled as a poet, dancer, singer, activist, and scholar. She gained global recognition for her exceptional contribution to literature. She was celebrated for her groundbreaking and deeply personal approach to autobiographical writing.
Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide.