A quick call from a neighbor and action by fire fighters saved the historic old brick school building at the corner of South Snow Prairie and Southern roads Saturday night.
A man driving by spotted the smoke and some flames coming from the abandon building around 8 p.m. The Bronson Fire Department responded with mutual aid from Lakeland Fire Department.
According to BFD Deputy Fire Chief Ken Stutzman, "arson is the probable cause and Michigan State Police will be investigating."
The old school, with an arch over the door reading "1908 District School No. 3," had been used for housing sheep in past years. Old straw burning on the first-floor sent smoke billowing out back windows, but there was minimal damage.