GROVE CITY — Nine volunteer fire companies were sent to George Junior Republic this morning shortly before 10 a.m. to battle a fire at the student union hall, according to the Mercer County emergency dispatching center.

A dispatcher said the fire had been knocked down and was under control by 11 a.m.

The state police fire marshal from the Lawrence County barracks will be investigating the fire, the dispatcher said.

George Junior Republic is a facility for court-placed juvenile delinquents.