By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Firefighters were called out Wednesday to extinguish a small fire at the Connecticut Street Armory. For some veteran firefighters, it brought back memories of a massive fire at the armory nearly 25 years ago.
That blaze gutted the structure. There were multiple explosions. And when the roof fell in, ash and embers covered the tops of nearby homes.
Division Chief Donald McFeeley admits he felt a bit apprehensive as he responded Wednesday with thoughts of that earlier fire.
"I was one of the first on the scene," McFeeley recalled. "It turned out to be a heck of a fire."
Wednesday's fire was minor in comparison. It was apparently started by a construction worker who was removing asbestos on the armory's third floor. The fire caused about $1,000 in damage.