From Robbie Robertson

September 10, 2007 - 09:04AM
Fire burns Cherry Point building
Francine Sawyer
Freedom ENC
A stubborn fire aboard Cherry Point badly damaged Headquarters Building 198 on C Street during the weekend.

The blaze started late Saturday night and firefighters spent most of Sunday morning putting it out.

The cause and origin of the fire were being investigated by Cherry Point officials.

Those who usually work in the building, which housed the headquarters for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Corps Air Station, will be housed in other locations on the base, according to Mike Barton, deputy director of public affairs for Cherry Point.

“The men and women will be moved to buildings which are suitable for their work duties as long-range plans are worked out,” Barton said Sunday.

He said that material such as documents and information stored inside the building would be available elsewhere.

He said no decision has been made about the future of the building. “There was significant damage to the building,” Barton said.

The fire broke out just after 11 p.m. Saturday. Four people were on duty inside, but they were not injured.

Rick Zaccardelli, Havelock fire and rescue chief, said the fire was a difficult one to put out.

He cited the common attic in the U-shaped two-story building and the type of construction as obstacles in fighting the blaze.

The brick building was one of Cherry Point’s original structures erected during World War II.

“It was a very hot blaze,” Zaccardelli said.

Tim Harvey, Craven County assistant fire marshal, said representatives from all fire departments in Craven County and members of some Carteret County fire departments put on turnout gear and helped fight the fire.

Two firefighters were overcome by smoke and one firefighter suffered minor injuries when he was hit with a straight stream of water aimed for the fire.

Fire crews were working into late Sunday afternoon monitoring hot spots and cleanup.

http://www.havenews.com/news/fire_3247___article.html/building_point.html