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Fire at empty Rome Cable building under investigation

By WKTV News

Story Created: Nov 28, 2011 at 9:55 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 29, 2011 at 12:24 AM EDT

ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - The former Rome Cable Corporation Complex caught fire Monday night in Rome. Heavy white smoke filled the area while crews worked to douse the flames on Henry Street.

Crews were called to the scene just after 6:30pm. Firefighters were able to attack the flames from the outside of the building,

The building is not in use and has been called an "eyesore" in the city since the company closed in 2003. The former Rome Cable Corporation was deemed unusable back in February by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It was placed on a brownfield list for demolition and portion of the complex has been razed.

It was initially reported that the fire was at Rome Strip Steel on Henry Street. That is the building right next door. The Rome Strip Steel company was not damaged by the fire.

Officials with the Rome Fire Department say paper files on the second floor of the building caught fire. How those papers caught fire is now the focus of the investigation.

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