Published: 4/5/2018 11:47:34 PM
Modified: 7/5/2018 7:41:01 AM
By JOSHUA SOLOMON
Recorder Staff
NEW SALEM — A late-night fire destroyed the state Department of Conservation and Recreation office on Elm Street.
The blaze was reported around 9:20 p.m. Thursday. Joe Cuneo, chief of the Wendell and New Salem fire departments, said when he arrived, the building was “fully involved.”
The fire appeared under control by 11 p.m., with no flames visible, but the structure appeared to have burned down, with only a chimney standing.
Tankers brought in water from the Swift River. Cuneo said one of his biggest objectives was preventing the blaze from spreading to surrounding vehicles and trees. No injuries were reported.
About 50 firefighters responded, with crews coming from Leverett, Athol, Pelham, Royalston, Phillipston, Erving, Petersham, Shutesbury, Wendell, Greenfield, New Salem, Charlemont, Warwick, Orange, Montague Center and Northfield.
National Grid was present to deal with power lines.
Representatives from the State Fire Marshal’s office arrived around 11 p.m. A representative from the Department of Conservation and Recreation declined to comment.