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September 8, 2009

Danvers Town Hall fire is out

DEBORAH PARKER/Salem News staff photos

DANVERS | The fire on the roof of Town Hall has been extinguished.

The blaze broke out around 1:30 p.m. when a worker soldering copper flashing apparently lit the wood sheathing, according to officials. It flared up three times before firefighters were able to knock it down completely.

Three ladder trucks were used in the effort. Besides Danvers crews, firefighters from Beverly, Topsfield and Middleton also responded. Flames were visible on the Holten Street side of the building.

Some 48 customers also lost electrical power because the electricity to Town Hall was shut off. That was expected to be restored this afternoon.

Town Hall has been undergoing renovations since February. The $6.4 million project involves a complete overhaul of the exterior and replacing mechanical systems.

At this time it's unclear how extensive the damage is. Work was about halfway complete. Most of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment has been installed. There are new windows, siding and roof outside and new air handlers, ducts and furnaces inside. Wooden beams have been placed inside the building to support the weight of massive air handlers.

With construction work underway, town offices are temporarily in the old Dunn Wing at Danvers High.

Built in 1855, Town Hall is Danvers' oldest municipal building.

Officials plan to meet Wednesday morning to assess the damage and see what needs to be done to get the project back on track.

"It's disappointing for sure. It's a setback," said Town Manager Wayne Marquis. "It's a tough old building, it's been here since 1855 and it's going to be here a lot longer."

For more on the fire, please see Wednesday's edition of The Salem News.




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