A fire caused significant damage to the Blackman (Tenn.) wrestling buildingA fire caused "significant damage" to the building used by one of the top wrestling programs in Tennessee Sunday night.
The freestanding building contained mats, weights and other equipment used by the wrestling program at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Murfreesboro firefighters responded to the school shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday. When crews arrived, they found heavy black smoke in a detached metal building behind the school. There was extensive damage to the building but no injuries, the Daily News Journal reported Monday.
Here's how the website for the Blackman High School wrestling team -- ironically named the Blaze -- reported on the fire:
"On Sunday, July 9th, the Blackman Wrestling building caught fire and suffered significant damage. We are heartbroken. Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement and support. We will assess our options and in the coming days, we will develop a plan for rebuilding and heart mending! Go Blaze!"
The fire remains under investigation.
Since Blackman High School first opened in 2000, the Blaze wrestling program has made its mark in Tennessee, with 26 state medalists, four runners-up and five state champions.
Murfreesboro is located southeast of Nashville.
Update 7/11/17
According to Tuesday's Daily News Journal, the fire was accidental, and appears to have been caused by a defective exhaust fan. The building and its contents were declared a total loss.
The building had been used by four wrestling teams which will now need a new facility.
There are some encouraging aspects to come out of the loss. For starters, brand-new wrestling mats, recently delivered, were stored in another location and were undamaged... and Blackman assistant wrestling coach Eric Sacharczyk reported that the school is already hearing from wrestling programs around the country, offering support.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help Blackman wrestling rebuild its facility and replace contents destroyed by the recent fire.
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