A service of Salisbury University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Assessing Damage From Fire at Legislative Hall

official state photo

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Officials are assessing the damage caused by a fire in Legislative Hall, and the building remains closed after a smoky fire forced its evacuation.

The Dover fire marshal says the blaze, which broke out Wednesday afternoon, was accidental and caused when an exhaust pipe in the attic ignited combustibles. A police officer and a firefighter were treated for smoke inhalation after the fire.

State officials are assessing the damage and estimating what it will cost to repair the damage to the 1933 building. It is unclear when the building can be occupied. Meetings are being held in the nearby Tatnall Office Building while Legislative Hall remains closed.

Lawmakers are not in session now; the current General Assembly will open its second session in January.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.