SFO4 Bernardino Santos, municipal fire chief, said the blaze gutted down the school’s Ga—baldon building which housed 15 classrooms, social hall, the library and the offices of the principal and supervisor.
Initial investigation showed the fire was probably due to faulty electrical wiring but school authorities discounted this, saying fire authorities have been inspecting their buildings annually.
The Gabaldon building was built sometime in 1900-1901. The National Historical Institute had placed a marker there, saying it was the first school building of its kind in Pangasinan.
The building was saved when the forces of Gen. Douglas MacArthur attacked and bombed the place during the Liberation in January 1945.
The townsfolk treasured the building, located in Barangay Maniboc, because it produced a president, Ramos, who studied there from 1932 to 1940 and graduated class valedictorian.
Ten firetrucks from neighboring towns helped put out the blaze.
Former mayor Ernesto Castañeda, president of the school’s parent-teacher association, cited reports that treasure hunters had visited the school, believing that there were buried treasures in the school grounds.