Hartford Civic Center on Fire

By Associated Press

September 28, 2001, 4:55 PM EDT

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A fire broke out Friday at the Hartford Civic Center, and smoke poured from the roof of the 26-year-old structure.

Flames were visible from part of the building, which includes a sports arena, offices and retail space.

There was no immediate word on the cause, but police spokesman Eric Valentine said there were no immediate indications of foul play.

"It's just a big mess right now," Valentine said.

Heavy black smoke rolled across the Hartford skyline as the afternoon rush hour began. Groups of office workers gathered on downtown streets.

"I came up from Providence today to see downtown Hartford," said Edward Coningford of Cranston, R.I. "The lights started flickering and then I heard two explosions."

Susan Lane, who works in the Civic Center, also said she saw the lights flicker.

"I have no idea what happened -- we just got out," Lane said.

The Civic Center is home to several minor league sports teams. Plans were approved earlier this year to renovate the aging complex, replacing the mall with apartments, additional office space and a new shopping center.

The redevelopment of the center has been one of Gov. John Rowland's "six pillars" of economic development for the city. Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001

Answers

I hope this is not anything other than an accident... I heard on the news about college towns being targetted.

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001

SAR, think HAPPY THOUGHTS. Besides, OSU, is a much more likely target than the college near you, and they won't hit it this weekend because everyone is going to Bloomington for the game.

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001

I think it was said later, that it was an electrical problem.

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001

Hartford Civic Center Suffers Smoke Damage From Apparent Electrical Fire

The Associated Press Published: Sep 28, 2001

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The Hartford Civic Center suffered smoke damage in a fire Friday blamed on electrical transformers in an underground vault in front of the building, authorities said. The smoke and flames initially appeared to be coming from the civic center.

Heavy black smoke rolled across the skyline as the afternoon rush hour began. Police blocked downtown exits from Interstates 84 and 91 as groups of office workers gathered in the streets.

Some firefighters and police wore oxygen masks because the smoke contained low levels of PCBs from oil in the transformers, officials said. Polychlorinated biphenyls have been linked to cancer in laboratory animals.

Shops, restaurants and the arena in the building suffered smoke damage, city Fire Marshal Bill Abbott said. The 26-year-old civic center is home to several minor league sports teams.

AP-ES-09-28-01 2336EDT

-- Anonymous, September 29, 2001