Welders were working on the roof before a massive fire broke out at a historic courthouse in Rome on Monday afternoon.
Heavy fire and smoke were fanned by strong winds. As of late afternoon, the clock tower was still standing, but its roof had collapsed, 11 Alive reported.
With the fear of a collapse, residents in the immediate area were evacualted.
A $4 million renovation project in the 1893 courthouse started this month, reports indicated.
Firefighters remained at the scene.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.