A devastating fire swept through a long-abandoned building at Knoxville College, a historically Black institution, on Monday night, leaving the structure a total loss. The blaze broke out around 8:30 p.m. ET, and no injuries were reported.
Knoxville Assistant Fire Chief Mark Wilbanks confirmed at the scene that the building, known as L. Nathan Hall, was over 100 years old. “It has completely collapsed and is a total loss,” Wilbanks stated, emphasizing the severity of the damage. Officials noted that the building had been boarded up to prevent break-ins, a practice that reflected an ongoing struggle faced by the college.
Firefighters battled the flames into the early hours of Tuesday morning. When firefighters arrived, the initial response indicated a heavy fire from the top of the building. Due to the facility’s structural instability, officials decided against sending crews inside to combat the blaze directly. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.
A Growing List of Obstacles
Mayor Indya Kincannon expressed her sorrow over the incident, calling it “a sad day for our city.” The college, founded in 1875, has faced numerous challenges in recent decades, including the loss of its national accreditation in 1997. Although Knoxville College was allowed to resume classes in 2018, all courses have since been conducted online as the institution seeks reaccreditation.
Frank Shanklin Jr., a member of the college’s Board of Trustees and an alumnus, voiced his commitment to the college’s future, stating, “We’re going to keep fighting for Knoxville College.” He urged the community to keep the college in their prayers during this precarious time.
The Knoxville Fire Department has responded to eight fires on the college campus this year alone. Wilbanks encouraged witnesses to come forward to aid the ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire.