Remainder Of Burned Historic Building In Enfield Demolished

ENFIELD, CT — Less than 24 hours after a raging fire destroyed a late 19th-century manufacturing building slated for possible inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, the 4-story structure was demolished during the overnight hours into early Thursday morning.

Thompsonville Fire Marshal Scott Ellis told Patch he and chief building official Raymond Steadward agreed to have the former Westfield Plate Co. building at 33 North River St. razed due to several safety concerns, after a multi-alarm fire Wednesday morning destroyed the majority of the structure.

The proximity of the building to Amtrak railroad tracks and an Eversource Energy natural gas building factored into the decision to take down the remainder of the building, after firefighters had worked all day and into the night to contain the flames, Ellis said. Amtrak suspended all rail service through the area for nearly 24 hours.

By 2:30 a.m., the nearly 23,000 square-foot brick structure had been reduced to a pile of rubble. Amtrak resumed service, with its first train passing the site at 5:38 a.m. The debris area has been secured, and North River Street has been cleared for passage by automobiles and emergency vehicles, Town Manager Christopher Bromson reported.

Ellis said preliminary investigation indicates the fire originated on the third floor on the south side of the building, which is closest to Main St. Investigation continues by the Enfield Police Department detective division, in conjunction with Ellis and the state fire marshal's office.

One firefighter sustained minor injuries which required transport to a hospital, but he has since been released, Ellis said.

"We want to assure the public that this incident in no way delays or impedes the development of the Enfield train station," Bromson said. "These were two separate projects dissected by the North South rail. The town fully intends to move full steam ahead with plans to develop this site as well as our train station."

Anyone with information pertaining to the blaze is asked to contact Ellis at 860-745-3365.

Video: Cliff Champlin

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