A moving fire destroyed several buildings on the beloved Hole on Friday at the Wall Gang camp in Ashford, Connecticut.
Ashford firefighters said they responded to an alarm and several smoke calls around 4:54 p.m. When they arrived, they found a large fire in the main camp building, which is a large wooden structure with smaller interconnected areas.
It took about 90 minutes to contain the fire, officials said. That main building was destroyed, as well as another smaller adjacent one, but crews were able to save the field dining and nursing areas.
Former campers and councilors tell how Hole in The Wall has impacted their lives after a fire destroyed four camp buildings on Friday night.
Ashford deputy director Tom Borgman said it looks like the building was empty at the time. No injuries were reported.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded by actor Paul Newman. It is a camp that provides a real summer camp experience for seriously ill children and provides programs for their families.
The camp has complete medical facilities to provide children with all the care they would normally receive in a hospital.
“We are sad to say that this evening there was a fire at The Hole in the Wall Gang camp,” CEO James Canton said in a statement. “We are very grateful that no one appears to have been injured, but we can confirm that all of our Arts and Crafts buildings, Woodshop, Cooking Zone and Camp Store were destroyed. Connecticut State Police Troop Although the cause of the fire is unknown at this time, what is known is that The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is a community dedicated to hope and healing. we will always and always do it … as a family “.
Officials did not say whether the fire was considered suspicious. The Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Unit is helping the fire commissioner investigate the cause of the fire. Federal ATF and FBI officials also responded.
The investigation of the cause continues. All fire witnesses are encouraged to call Troop C. of the Connecticut State Police.