Suspected arson at Detroit school spoils graduation day

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A fire inside a Detroit school spoils graduation day. No one was hurt, but many parents are upset that their sons and daughters may not get the ceremony they earned.

As a result, the blaze at Emerson Middle School in Detroit has some parents and students hot.

"I really hate that you did this, it interrupted a lot of families," said Tamika Fortt, a parent. "We were looking for a congratulations, and our kids are upset. they are. I'm mad."

Crews got the call Tuesday at 7:44 p.m. and it took about 30 minutes to put out. Investigators have not been able to determine the exact cause, but they suspect arson.

The damaged school building is a safety concern. And now you have parents and kids who are upset that graduation at the school was canceled.

The graduation ceremony was scheduled to be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, which was canceled. Meanwhile, the city says the building suffered about $50,000 in damages. They haven't shared if they have any leads on who is responsible.

The parents FOX 2 spoke with believe the graduation ceremony should be rescheduled for another day at Emerson Elementary which is right next door. Administrators say they could not comment.

"The principal just said she's trying to do something but right now she has building inspectors and fire inspectors here so she can't tell us a time," said parent Kenyatta Lambert. "I don't think anything is going to happen. How are you going to notify everybody if you have so much fire damage."

The parents also came to the elementary school to hopefully pick up their kids' certificates, but no luck.

"We came up, got one picture. the rest are burnt. we thought we were going to get certificates, and maybe report cards, and she said there is ample damage, and they'll have to give them to us at a later date."

FOX 2 have been making calls to the spokesperson for Detroit Public Schools and she tells us a new date for the graduation ceremony is being finalized.