Fire At New London Inn Ruled Accidental: Report

NEW LONDON, CT — The city's fire marshal has determined that a May 5 fire at the Lighthouse Inn was accidental, according to The New London Day. Fire officials said the fire was started by a contractor drilling holes for the placement of a new sign at the front of the building.

The City Council has approved a $75,000 grant to aid in reconstruction of the building, The New London Day reported.

Two firefighters were injured in extinguishing the blaze, which hit after the inn reopened this past winter.

Built in 1902 as a country home for steel industry magnate Charles S. Guthrie, it was converted to an inn in 1927. The building and the remnants of the estate were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, according to The Lighthouse Inn's website.
The property was sold at auction in 2016.

Fire has struck the inn before. A 1979 blaze burned off the roof and destroyed the building's upper floors, according to The New London Day.

See related: 2 Firefighters Hurt Battling 2-Alarm Blaze At Historic Lighthouse Inn

Historic New London Lighthouse Inn Property Sold at Auction, Planned to Reopen

Lighthouse Inn Bar, Restaurant May Open This Year