MOOREFIELD, W.Va. — Major cleanup and repairs at fire-damaged Moorefield High School moved ahead Tuesday so that staff could report Wednesday, and students possibly as early as Thursday. The school has remained closed since Friday’s incident.

The school was damaged extensively Friday when apparent explosive devices were hurled through a window of the single-story building on North Main Street inside the city limits.

The incident is being investigated by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office. The fire was discovered at about 5 a.m. Friday by Principal Doug Hines, who called 911. Moorefield Volunteer Fire Company and Fraley’s Ambulance Service responded.

Hardy County Superintendent of Schools Barbara Whitecotton said late Tuesday afternoon that damages to the school “will be at least $100,000.” She said that includes replacement of ceiling tiles in the cafeteria, library, kitchen, one classroom and the interior hallway.

The fire destroyed three computers and caused damage to “a sizable amount of technology” in the library. Damages included a computer server, laptops, printers, televisions and other equipment.

Various companies have been contracted by the board of education to complete repairs and clean the building.

Various electronic items are being repaired and cleaned along with “cleaning and deodorizing” of every book in the library.

“We’re hoping the loss is minimal,” said Whitecotton, who was appointed superintendent of schools in January after serving the last three years as assistant superintendent. She has been employed in the Hardy County school system since 1978.

Whitecotton said no threats were made to the board of education or to the school before the fire occurred. She said there had been no unusual occurrences at the school prior to Friday’s fire.

“We’re a typical school system. Not everyone in the community loves school. We have some folks out there that any community has that do not like schools,” she said.

“It’s probably one of the worst traumatic incidents I have experienced. It was as traumatic as the flood of 1985 when 90 percent of the school was destroyed. A lot of emotions are the same.

“I saw a lifetime of things destroyed then by something senseless but that was nature. This is more senseless since there is no reason for this to occur.

“I’m hopeful that law enforcement will find out who is responsible and that the punishment will be to the fullest extent of the law.”

Assistant Deputy Fire Marshal Patrick Barker asked for help from the public. He said Moorefield Police responded to the school but that the investigation is being conducted without involvement of any police agency.

A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case. Information may be provided to the arson hotline at (800) 233-FIRE (3473).

“There were containers collected at the scene. It appears the fire was set by something that was thrown through a window,” said Barker.

“We’re not sure what time the incident occurred. The devices ran out of fuel and oxygen and self-extinguished.”

Whitecotton said community events scheduled at the school will be held at other school locations, as were two Moorefield High basketball games.

Once the air quality has been improved to a safe level, students will be allowed to return to the classrooms. She said adjustments are being made to accommodate the 430 students and 25 staff despite damage to about one-third of the structure. Lunch meals will be brought in from other schools for students to eat in classrooms or a multiuse section that housed the old gymnasium.

“Our students do not deserve to be traumatized by this senseless act. They deserve better than this,” said Whitecotton just prior to meeting with an official of the West Virginia State Board of Education. She was also awaiting the arrival of insurance adjusters.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.