Fire breaks out in vacant buildings at Norwich State Hospital

PRESTON, Conn. — Crews are tackling a fire at the abandoned Norwich State Hospital site in Preston, officials said.

The hospital is located on the Norwich, Preston line, with Preston fire crews in command of the scene.

Preston Fire Chief stated that the fire was in vacant buildings and there were no reported injuries. The fire was reported around 5:45 a.m.

Norwich State Hospital is situated on Laurel Hill Road, adjacent to the Thames River. The hospital served patients with psychiatric conditions and those with tuberculosis. It opened in 1904 and was permanently closed in 1996.

In 2010, Plainville-based Manafort Brothers, Inc., worked with the Town of Preston to clean up the property , which included abatement, demolition, and remediation of over 50 buildings.

In June of this ye