‘Tremendous Amount Of History Lost’ In Manchester Legion Hall Fire

Jan. 26--MANCHESTER -- American Legion Post 102 lost photographs, military memorabilia and records in a fierce fire Saturday, Fire Chief David Billings said.

"A tremendous amount of history was lost," Billings said Monday.

The fire gutted the basement of the building at 20 American Legion Drive, which included a bar area and storage rooms, the chief said. There was some fire and smoke damage on the first floor. Constructed in 1921, the building has been boarded up and posted as uninhabitable.

American Legion leaders, who could not be reached immediately, were waiting for a report from their insurance provider before deciding whether the building can be repaired, Billings said. The cause of the blaze is under investigation, but Billings said there is no indication of arson.

Responding to an emergency call from a Legion worker who saw smoke in the basement, firefighters arrived at about 3:20 p.m. and saw heavy smoke coming from all doors, windows and the roof of the unoccupied building.

Crews hauling hose lines into the basement encountered smoke and fire, and additional personnel and hose lines were brought in, Billings said. A total of 59 firefighters from Manchester, Bolton, East Hartford, South Windsor and Glastonbury helped douse the blaze.

Snow, cold and wind gusts up to 35 mph hampered operations, and the blaze was not under control until about 4:30 p.m. There were no firefighter injuries, Billings said.

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