ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 25, 1997 TAG: 9703250091
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOANNE POINDEXTER
Faulty wiring caused the fire that destroyed the Hardy Community Center two weeks ago, an investigator said.
The center was built in the early 1950s and most of the wiring appeared to have been installed then, said Dave Nichols, Bedford County's public safety director. The Hardy Volunteer Fire Department owned the building and used it as a community meeting place.
Nichols said the fire started in a wall on the upper level of the center, and spread to the attic. Strong winds that night helped fuel the flames, Nichols said.
No one was injured in the March11 fire, but the heat melted aluminum siding on the fire company's station house next door.
A demolition crew was taking down the remaining concrete wall Monday to clear away the rubbish.
Nichols said the Fire Department already has plans to replace the center. Instead of a stand-alone building, the new facility will be a community room connected to the Fire Department.
The burned center and its contents were insured for $100,000.
LENGTH: Short : 30 linesby CNB