Fire contained to roof of Mystic Seaport Ship Carver building

Elizabeth Regan, The Day, New London, Conn.
·1 min read

Dec. 16—MYSTIC — A fire at Mystic Seaport is under investigation after a Saturday morning fire was contained to the roof of the museum's Ship Carver exhibit building.

Acting Mystic Fire Department Chief Christopher Clarkin in a statement said crews from his department responded to the 11:44 a.m. call within five minutes to find the fire on the roof of the building. It was extinguished in about 10 minutes with no injuries.

The Old Mystic, Naval Submarine Base New London, Poquonnock Bridge, Noank and Ledyard fire departments and Mystic River Ambulance also responded, Clarkin said. The scene was cleared at 12:52 p.m.

Sophia Matsas, Mystic Seaport director of marketing and communications, in a statement said the museum is working with authorities to investigate the fire. She thanked the fire departments for "quick actions resulting in minimal fire damage."

The exhibit recreates the type of woodworking shop where tradesmen carved nameboards, trailboards, figureheads, and sternboards for boats, as well as shop signs, tobacconists' figures, and decorations meant for the home, according the museum's website.

Tarps were used to protect the equipment from potential water damage, Clarkin said.

The museum remains open and Saturday night's Lantern Light Village event will go on as scheduled, Matsas said.