Police: Arson claims old 1-room Vt. schoolhouse

LONDONDERRY, Vt. – Police say a historic one-room schoolhouse in Vermont has been destroyed by arson.

State police say the schoolhouse was fully engulfed in flames early Monday morning when firefighters arrived at the scene in South Londonderry, a scenic town popular with skiers.

Authorities say the building was owned by the Friendship Club of Thompsonburg Inc. and was used for meetings and gatherings but was unoccupied at the time.

State police Detective James Cruise says the building served as a school until the 1940s and still had its school bell and wood stoves. Police say the estimated value of the loss is expected to be at least $250,000.

A telephone message left Tuesday for a woman connected to the Friendship Club of Thompsonburg hasn't been returned.