Fire Destroys Historic Merced County Building

A historic building in Merced, California, known as the first high school in the county, was destroyed by a significant fire on Monday morning. The fire began around 6:30 a.m., quickly engulfing the structure, which has been vacant since the 1970s after serving as a library. Fire crews responded with multiple engines and personnel, initially battling the flames from inside before switching to an exterior attack for safety reasons. No injuries were reported, but the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and damage estimates have yet to be determined. The nearly 130-year-old building was a local landmark, leaving residents saddened by its loss. The site will be demolished due to concerns about structural integrity after the fire.