A fire broke out shortly before noon yesterday at the former Bellefonte Academy, destroying the 199-year-old building.

Maureen Karstetter of Mount Nittany Medical Center said last night three people were treated at the center and later released.

Bellefonte Fire Chief Tim Knisely said the cause of the blaze will not be known until an investigation is done.

As of 9 p.m. last night, Knisely could not confirm any fatalities, and he said there were two people missing, but he did not know if they were residents or guests. About 36 people resided at the former academy on Bishop Street.

After noon, the report came to the department of a bedroom fire on the second floor of the former boys' academy, which is now a low-income housing complex.

The fire quickly spread through all three floors and the attic, engulfing the building and making attempts to save the structure impossible.

"The main building was a total loss," Knisely said. "The fire spread too fast and we had to abandon the interior operation. Our concern was protecting the surrounding buildings."

He said the main portion of the fire was put out by 4 p.m. and smaller fires were contained a few hours after that.

Knisely said two of the three people taken to the hospital were firefighters, but after receiving medical care, they later returned to continue to fight.

"A lot of the time, it's hard to even get them to leave," he said. "That's the nature of volunteer firefighting."

Knisely said 20 companies from around the county, and another from Mifflin County, responded to the four alarm fire, which shut down much of Bellefonte yesterday afternoon.

Routes in and out of Bellefonte were beginning to be opened last night around 9:30 p.m.

A large, black column of smoke continued to billow throughout the day and was visible from several miles away. Little of the building's structure remained standing, save its charred white façade and some broken columns.

"The construction features worked against us," he said. "We knew the hazards of the building."

The building had been undergoing renovations and did not have a sprinkler system, which Knisely said could explain the speed with which the fire spread.

"It should have had sprinklers," he said. "It would have made all the difference in the world."

Knisely said the presence of sprinklers would have saved millions of dollars in manpower hours, equipment and water costs, because so many outside companies had to be brought in.

He expects the fire to continue smoldering for several days.

The American Red Cross set up a shelter at nearby Bellefonte Elementary School's gymnasium. Director of Emergency Services Bob Barry said by yesterday afternoon 20 people were staying at the shelter with 10 to 15 volunteers on their way to help.

"A lot of them are still in shock," Barry said. "So it's important that they get support over the next few days."

Barry said a substantial number of the academy's residents had family or friends that they could stay with, but that the Red Cross was working to ensure others would be set up in a motel or at the gym's shelter.

An investigation has already begun, Knisely said. Residents were questioned by Pennsylvania State Police fire marshals about the nature of the fire.

Beginning today, state fire marshals will be in touch with insurance companies to knock down parts of the building so that investigators may have a safe entrance.

"It'll be a pretty lengthy process," Knisely said.

The historical building has had a long history with fires since its opening in 1805.

Most recently, a three-alarm fire in 2001 damaged the top floor and brought questions as to the building's safety.

The first fire happened 100 years ago this month and devastated the academy, said Joyce Adgate of the Centre County Library and Historical Museum. The entire top floor was burned and the academy was forced to close.

The academy reopened in 1913 and would remain a prominent educational feature until its closing in 1934 because of financial pressures.

Bellefonte resident Ernie Fitzgerald, standing at the foot of the hill where the academy was burning, said the disaster did not come as a surprise to him.

"This was a long time coming," Fitzgerald said. "Over the years it has really become dilapidated -- really a shame. I hate to see it go."

The building was purchased in March 2003 by the Rev. James and Susan Nolten of Port Matilda.

Knisely said Susan Nolten was on the scene, assisting police with building plans, but her husband was out of the country. Neither was available for comment last night.

Collegian staff writer Jennette Hannah contributed to this report.