Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Branchville Fire-Update

From the T and D Online:

The fire that broke out in Branchville Monday around 6:30 p.m. destroyed one of the original Branch Junction buildings used in the annual Raylrode Daze Festivul. Branch Junction is a replica of a western town, where many of the activities of Raylrode Daze are held.The Red Dog Saloon sustained an estimated $25,000 in damages. The fire also damaged a couple of wagons and train cars of the festival's popular Cal Smoak Special which were in storage. Fortunately, the Cal Smoak Special train engine was not involved in the blaze."By the time I arrived, the Saloon was totally engulfed in flames," Branchville Mayor Tim Cooner. A secondary fire in the old freight depot was likely set off by sparks from the initial fire, Cooner said...According to the mayor, seven fire trucks from the Branchville, Canaan, Cattle Creek and Rowesville fire departments responded to the blaze...

Joe Walters of 140 Edwards Street, which is located just behind the Raylrode Daze Festivul's Branch Junction, said he had just sat down to watch the evening news on TV when someone knocked on his door."Two frightened little boys were pounding on my door telling me to call 911. They said that there was a fire. It was around 6:32 p.m.," said Walters, one of the original gunfighters who helped build Old Town.

I think this was posted before the culprits were caught which I mentioned yesterday. Was it the 2 boys who alerted Walters?