Fire damages Hayes center building

3/6/2010

FREMONT — A fire Saturday afternoon in the garage of a two-story carriage house on the grounds of the Hayes Presidential Center displaced the family that lived on the second floor and destroyed equipment.

The blaze fire was reported about 3 p.m., said Thomas Culbertson, executive director. The fire department was called when tour guides in the historic Hayes home heard a loud bang, as did the family who lived in the carriage house.

Fire crews were still on the scene at 5:15 p.m., watching for hot spots and investigating the origin. The family and their pets escaped unharmed.

The building is about 100 feet removed from the Hayes home and museum.

“It didn't disrupt the house or museum, and it won't,” Mr. Culbertson said. “We'll be open for business as usual” on Sunday.