By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

A pile of debris sits in front of the Dayspring Montessori School in Fairfield Tuesday morning. (Glenn Hartong photo)

FAIRFIELD - Jessica Smith sat in her car Tuesday, staring at the boarded-up building where her two children attended class at Dayspring Montessori School.

The lot was scattered with debris - a marking pen here, two child-sized rocking chairs there - from the Monday evening fire that gutted the school's two classrooms and kitchen.

"I'm really upset. It's a good school ... They are so good to our kids," said the Fairfield Township woman.

"I was kind of shocked when I got the call . You never believe it's going to happen to your school. I came today because I wanted to see it."

She went, too, because her daughters wanted to see the damage. School officials declined to comment on the status of the school Tuesday. Parents have not been notified of a temporary site, Smith said. The school has about 23 students.

Just hours after Smith left, Fairfield building inspectors taped "condemned" notices on the building.

"It's been deemed unsafe due to structural concerns," said Fairfield Fire Chief Don Bennett.

About 60 percent of the building was destroyed in the fire that started in the center of the L-shaped structure, Bennett said. The rest of the building, including a bingo hall, suffered damage from smoke, water and heat. The fire is not considered suspicious, officials said.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, but Bennett said it had been burning for some time before a passerby called authorities at 6:37 p.m. Monday.

"It gained a considerable head start. It went through the drywall ceiling and then the roof by the time we arrived," Bennett.

About 25 firefighters were on the scene almost five hours. Damage is estimated between $75,000 and $100,000, Bennett said.

Because the block walls are intact, Bennett said the roof and interior walls could likely be rebuilt. Smith said she is not abandoning the school where her 5-year-old daughter, Autumn, is in kindergarten and her 4-year-old daughter, Brooklynn, is in pre-school.

"We're going to wait to hear from the school," Smith said. "We're hanging in there for the long haul. I'm sure all the parents will pitch in and do whatever is needed. I hope she can pick up the pieces."