(rshsdepot) New London CT roundhouse destroyed in fire

[James Dent / NYKGN <james.dent_@_itochu.com>]

From Railpace Hot News...

FIRE DESTROYS HISTORIC ROUNDHOUSE: The historic Central Vermont Roundhouse
in New London Ct was destroyed by fire early Sunday morning. NLFD was
dispatched to an unknown fire under the Gold Star Hy bridge (I-95 bridge
over NCRR, Thames River and the P&W tracks) shortly after midnight. Upon the
first companies arrival they found the old roundhouse engulfed in flames and
struck a second alarm. The fire lit up the night sky along the Thames River,
which could be seen for miles for over an hour. Companies had difficultly
fighting the fire due the roundhouses' location, (situated under the bridge
and between the NCRR and Amtrak lines and along with poor street access.)
Incident command had serious concern at the height of the fire that it could
spread to a nearby large lumber storage yard under the bridge which connects
to a pier as flames shot in the air. The roundhouse continued to smolder as
the sun rose. NLFD & state fire marshall are investigating the cause as a
part of RR is now gone. (Rich Foreman - posted 3/31)  
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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