The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, August 7, 1996             TAG: 9608070568
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   24 lines

LATE-NIGHT BLAZE DAMAGES BEACH CONSTRUCTION SITE

A three-alarm fire erupted at a construction site late Tuesday night, destroying one partially completed building and heavily damaging another.

No injuries were immediately reported, Virginia Beach Fire Chief Mike Wade said.

The fire started on Shore Drive between West Great Neck and Great Neck roads. Fire officials were called at 11:07 p.m. and worked into the morning to bring the blaze under control.

It was not immediately clear what started the fire in the three-story building. It was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, and flames were beginning to sweep through the second building, which was identical to the first.

Wade estimated the first building to be a total loss. Authorities early Wednesday weren't certain what the partially built structures were intended for.

KEYWORDS: FIRE by CNB