Miami — Back in 1953, the old Miami High School was located where the Chistina Apartments are today, on the south side of town. It was the first Saturday in November of that year when a fire broke out at the school, roaring through the vacant study hall.

The fire destroyed the school’s library, which had more than 6,000 books. The roof of the northwest portion of the front section of school was burned off, resulting  in considerable water and smoke damage to the downstairs rooms, with the new auditorium ceiling falling to the floor.

E. E McClain. principal of Miami High School told the Arizona Silver Belt that some people had criticized officials for having the ceiling installed with aluminum stringers instead of steel.  However, he went on to say as heat built up between the new ceiling and the roof, the aluminum melted allowing the ceiling to fall and the heat to escape outwards.

MClain contended at the time had the new ceiling structure been installed with steel it would have remained in place trapping the heat and causing increased damage

He said the loss of the library was a real blow in the school since it contained in excess of 6,000 volumes most all l which  were totally destroyed except for a few reference books.