Middleton Railway Museum Fire

USPA NEWS - A fire broke out inside the main building of the train museum in Middleton, N.S., Friday evening. Fire crews from Middleton, Lawrencetown, Kingston, Nictaux and Aylesford were dispatched to the Middleton Railway Museum on School Street just after 10 p.m.

According to Middleton Fire Chief Mike Toole, the building has been undergoing renovations and the fire was contained to a small room at the front of the building where the work was taking place. Chief Toole explained that since the fire was small and contained, and firefighters were on the scene gaining entry within minutes, so the fire was able to be extinguished very quickly. He referred to the event as a "close call." He went on to say that the cause of the fire is not known at this time, however it does not appear to be of a suspicious nature as there was no sign of unauthorized entry to the structure.

Representatives from the Middleton Railway Museum posted the following statement to their Facebook page. "We had a fire tonight in the waiting room at the train station. Thanks to Middleton firefighters it was knocked down in minutes and the building was saved. Kudos to Middleton firefighters and to Lawrencetown and Kingston for responding as well. Nictaux and Aylesford were also involved. The damage was confined to the waiting room that was just replastered and would have been repainted in the next week or two. At this point there is no cause determined. Rumour says there were tools plugged in. There were no tools plugged in at all in the waiting room. Caution tape has been strung around the scene and two doors have been boarded up until repairs can be made. Smoke damage is extensive in the waiting room and agent's room. The model railway was unaffected thanks to doors being closed. Thanks to Chief Mike Toole and Deputy Scott Veinot and the many other firefighters on the scene or staged at various halls. Also thanks to the RCMP for being there and for keeping their eye on the museum as they make their patrols. And for those who saw the flames and called it in, THANK YOU!"

Museum Society Chairman David Hankinson said, "The quick response and firefighting skills of the members of the Middleton Fire Department saved an important piece of history in Middleton. The museum has recently undergone renovations with plans to reopen for Mother’s Day. The waiting room, where the fire broke out, was one of the areas in the museum receiving some touch-ups. The windows of the room had recently been refinished and reinstalled, but have since cracked due to the heat of the fire." Hankinson went on to say, “It’s a setback, but museum is insured, and cost of repairs will be assessed in the coming days, but we hope to be back on track soon.”

For the Middleton Railway Museum fire scene photos, and the most up-to-date information on the repairs/clean up progress, please visit the museum's Facebook page or website: https://middletonrailwaymuseum.ca/