The Austin College faculty and community is dealing with the loss of one of their campus buildings today.  A fire started in the northwest corner of Craig Hall Sunday night.  Over 40 firefighters responded to get the fire under control.  KTEN's Kristi Branam has an update.

Craig Hall is home to music and art programs at Austin College.  Sherman Fire Chief Jeff Jones says the fire started in a mechanical room, due to an overload of electrical equipment that was related to the power outage last night.

The fire chief is estimating the damage to Craig Hall at one million dollars.  Austin College President Dr. Oscar Page says there is a little structural damage to the main electrical panel, but the real cost will be the damage to the instruments. 

President Page says it's always a set back when the use of a building is lost, especially when it's a specialized building.  "It will slow us down as far as some of our preparations for second semester, but it doesn't begin til the 1st of February, so we should be able to move pretty quickly to be ready for the second semester."

One positive thing Austin College has to look forward to, is the construction of the Betsy Dennis Forster Art Studio Complex.  By January 2008, all art programs will be in the new building, while music programs will remain in Craig Hall.

President Page says renovations to Craig Hall are already underway.  In the mean-time classes have been rescheduled to other parts of campus. 

Kristi Branam, KTEN News.