Not the kind of news we want to hear. I'm certainly glad that there was no loss of life and apparently no injury to anyone fighting the fire. That station was one of the more unique in style, a very pleasing design. Hopefully the station will be rebuilt very quickly.

Dave

Thanks for the update Bryan, this story was not in our local news. Very sad indeed!!!

Thanks for the news Bryan. It makes it especially sad when one has been there. To think many of the artifacts are gone too.


Pam

That is sad news. As Pam said especially to those whow have been there. Oak Island was one of my first Lights to see. My husband and I were working a construction job in Wilmington a year and a half ago. And it was the NC lights that got us hooked on Lighthouses. Sure am glad first: that no one was hurt, and second that the lighthouse was not damaged.

Stephanie

How sad! What a relief that none of the CG were injured!

Indeed this is sad news. It was such an attractive facility. At least the Lighthouse was spared. As Dave said hope they rebuild it again soon.

Dale

[This message has been edited by DALE LAWRENCE (edited 02-02-2002).]

Bad news...

Looking at the picture gives one the impression that the fire was really roaring. If the building was only ten years old, a reasonable and prudent person would think the electrical system would have been in tip-top shape. There has to be a source of ignition, something to burn, and the presence of oxygen. If foul play is ruled out, then you would have to check what was left of the electrical system, heating system, and appliances. There is always a possibility that it could have been caused by careless disposal of smoking material.

Bryan, please let us know if you see and more articles about what happend.

Bob

We saw this light and building in 1992. It was a very unique place. Sad to hear this took place. Glad to see no one was hurt. What a terrible loss. Hopefully it will be rebuilt.

Follow-up story:
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/news/stories/8482newsstorypage.html

Here is today's update:

http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/news/stories/8549newsstorypage.html

Thanks for the updates guys!

What a view from the airplane, really gives you the big picture.

Assuming that Oak Island was built like most buildings near the water, it was probably built on stilts, so to speak. If this is the case,the entire area under the floor was open. A fire starting under the building, in an overheating furnace motor, etc, gets all the air it needs. It only takes a small hole, around electrical conduit etc, to climb up into the walls and into the attic. Assuming it was a truss roof, once it was in the attic, which is now basically a wind tunnel like underneath the floor, the building's a goner. We just had an apartmant building in town go up in a similar manner. Burned the whole roof and third floor off the place. Not much you can do to stop a fire like this one.

Quite a shame.

Think it will drive up the value of the H.L.?

Mike

Really sorry to hear about this fire. We were there last year and the Coast Guard Members were very nice to let me take photos on the grounds. Glad they plan to rebuild but a lot of History was lost there.