By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Fire damaged the tower of the historic H.H. Richardson complex in Buffalo early Saturday morning.
Two alarms were sounded shortly after 3:00am. Firefighters confined the fire to the second floor. It caused an esimated $200,000 in damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Richardson Center Corporation is a not for profit board charged with restoring and reusing the historic complex.
"This morning's fire at the Richardson Olmsted Complex was unfortunate. We are saddened about the building damage but are glad no one was hurt," said Monica Pellegrino Faix, project coordinator. "Work to seal up the building will take place and we and will continue to advance the first phase of redevelopment."
The site, which was once home to the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, may find new life as a hotel and conference center. The state has allocated $100 million for restoration of the Richardson complex.
Some of that money has been used to stabilize the complex.