HARRISBURG, Pa. — Editor's note: The attached video is from Dec. 11.
Following a confirmed case of arson, officials with the City of Harrisburg have issued an emergency declaration to demolish a portion of the former William Penn High School.
The city's emergency declaration will demolish the portion of the building heavily damaged by the blaze, which housed the former automotive and welding instructional programs.
The State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now involved in monitoring and regulating the demolition process.
According to Harrisburg police, the fire has officially been determined as a case of arson.
The District's William Penn Community Task Force is expected to publicly make a formal recommendation for the future use of the property to the Court Appointed Receiver on Jan. 18, 2024, with a formal presentation at a School Board meeting on Jan. 23.
As of Dec. 7, the group recommended against demolishing the entire structure, rather examining ways to renovate and repurpose the building.
The Harrisburg School District is immediately moving forward with officially cleaning out William Penn, including asbestos and lead abatement, and removal of all environmentally hazardous materials.