Fire Crews Battle Blaze at Vacant South Memphis School

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Memphis fire crews were called to a vacant school building in the South Memphis neighborhood on Sunday evening to battle a blaze at the former Memphis Scholars South Campus along W. Olive Avenue. Multiple fire trucks were on the scene around 6 p.m., but the extent of any damage to the building is still unknown, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Why it matters

Vacant school buildings can pose fire risks and become targets for vandalism or other criminal activity if not properly secured and maintained. This incident highlights the challenges faced by communities with abandoned properties and the importance of fire prevention and public safety measures.

The details

Firefighters were dispatched to the former Memphis Scholars South Campus building on W. Olive Avenue in South Memphis on Sunday around 6 p.m. after reports of a fire at the vacant school. Multiple fire trucks were seen responding to the scene, but the full extent of any damage to the building is still unknown. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by local authorities.

• Firefighters were called to the scene around 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2026.

What’s next

Investigators will work to determine the cause of the fire and assess any damage to the vacant school building.