Authorities are trying to figure out who broke into the Western Massachusetts Eelectric Co. East Springfield Work Center at 300 Cadwell Drive early Monday. A small fire was started and items were taken, according to Springfield police.
SPRINGFIELD -- A fire reported at 3:02 a.m. Monday inside the Western Massachusetts Electric Co. (WMECO) East Springfield Work Center at 300 Cadwell Drive appears to have been intentionally set by someone who broke into the facility and took unknown items, according to a preliminary probe by Springfield police and fire officials.
Arson investigators were called to the scene after officials determined that the credit union portion of the facility had been broken into at some point during the overnight hours. The credit union serves Northeast Utilities subsidiary members, including WMECO employees and their families, union members of IBEW Local 7, and others.
Public safety officials provided conflicting information about the fire's origin.
A firefighter at the scene reported that a small fire was contained to a safe located in the "credit department" of the facility, but Springfield Police Lt. John Slepchuk said the fire appears to have originated in a sink.
"Something was lit on fire in the sink," Slepchuk said early Monday.
No matter, investigators are trying to piece together who broke in and set the fire. Various items appear to have been taken during the break-in, but officials were unsure of their value.
"There was a theft from the building," Slepchuk said. "We don't know what was taken at this point."
Damage estimates were unavailable, but the small fire was quickly contained.
The halls were full of smoke when firefighters arrived at the East Springfield facility, according to reports from officials who responded to the call.
More information will be posted on MassLive.com as it becomes available.