Fire Destroys Tobacco Barns in Conn.

Source from:  Boston Globe 10/20/2009

More than 100 firefighters have been battling a blaze that has destroyed several tobacco curing sheds in Windsor Locks. The fire broke out at one of the hulking barns on Rainbow Road around 4 p.m. on Monday. Thick black smoke was visible for miles in the Connecticut River Valley. Fox 61-TV reports that the fire quickly spread to neighboring sheds. Witnesses told WVIT they heard propane tanks explode. It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze. Farmers have been growing tobacco in the region since the early 1800s. The tobacco leaves are used for the two outside layers of fine cigars -- the binder and the wrapper. Enditem