2-Alarm Blaze Damages State Police Museum and Learning Center

The Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center in Grafton was significantly damaged Saturday night in a two-alarm fire, police said.

Artifacts and exhibits celebrating State Police history on the first floor sustained only smoke and water damage, police said. Grafton Firefighters contained the blaze to a conference room on the second floor.

The conference room was destroyed, police said.

Alarms were triggered around 9:30 p.m. when what officials believe was pressure and heat from the fire caused the windows to break.

A third alarm was struck for the fire but was quickly canceled.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A painting crew working in the building left around 6 p.m., police said. It is unknown if the work is connected to the fire.

"The MSP is grateful beyond words for their efforts in preserving the numerous artifacts and photographs from the department’s 151-year history that are on display," a press release said.

The Museum and Learning Center is located in the former Grafton State Police Barracks on Worcester Street. It was built in 1931 and the barracks operation was closed in 2006.

Some retired State Troopers began development of the Museum and Learning Center at the site in 2008, leasing the building. The Museum and Learning Center took ownership of the building last year, thanks to state legislation that signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker last year.