Jersey City fire fighters were called to Ellis Island after being alerted of a working fire this afternoon.
The transformer in the main boiler room had failed, resulting in a “Transformer Fire”.
JC Fire fighters called to the scene, were able to put out the fire, and rescue visitors trapped in elevators. Fortunately, no one was hurt or injured, and all buildings on the island were successfully evacuated.
Ellis Island will remain closed until further notice; however, Liberty National Monument is open for visitation.
The last major fire to occur on the island took place on June 14, 1897. The fire consumed the main immigration station and other buildings on the island, destroying with it valuable immigration records dating back to 1855. The new United States Treasury required that all new structures built on the island be fireproof. The Main Building was built and opened 3 years later on December 17, 1900.
For more information about Ellis Island, go to: http://www.ellisisland.org/
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