KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The Knoxville Fire Department responded to a fire on the Knoxville College campus Monday evening.

When crews arrived on scene around 8:30 p.m., KFD said there was heavy gunfire. The flames were visible for several miles, including from I-40.

Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon told WVLT News the fire broke out at L. Nathan Hall. Frank Shanklin, alumnus and board member, said it was an administration building that hadn’t been occupied in at least 40 to 50 years.

“This is a sad day for the Knoxville community,” Kincannon said. “Knoxville College was established shortly after the Civil War to educate formerly enslaved people, and it did that job and did it well for more than 100 years. In recent years it has been more difficult. It will be sad to lose this building, and we will continue to work with the private council that owns this property and runs the school.

“It’s not city property. We have had to respond to fires several times in recent years, and it can be very dangerous,” Kincannon continued.

Kincannon also said the fire was contained to that building and the cause was unknown at this time.

Shanklin said the building was vacant and largely boarded up. He also said that although they usually receive a call about a fire on campus at least once a month, they have never received a call about a fire in this specific building.

Shanklin added that the college is in the process of being re-accredited and hopes students will eventually return to campus.

No injuries were reported, according to KFD’s Mark Wilbanks. The cause of the fire has not been released.

This is a developing story.

Copyright 2024 WVLT. All rights reserved.