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Fire Damages Historic Wright Brothers Aircraft Factory

The early morning blaze at the sprawling complex is under investigation.

The former Wright Brothers factory in Dayton, Ohio, as it appeared in 2014. [Credit: Library of Congress]
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Key Takeaways:

  • A fire significantly damaged a group of commercial buildings in Dayton, including the historic Wright Company airplane factory, which operated from 1910 to 1915.
  • The factory is recognized as the oldest purpose-built aircraft factory in the U.S. and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019, with ongoing preservation efforts.
  • Firefighters battled the intense blaze for over 12 hours, unable to enter the buildings, with reports indicating significant damage to the complex.
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A fire early Sunday morning damaged a group of commercial buildings that include a former factory where Orville and Wilbur Wright manufactured aircraft from 1910 to 1915. The National Register of Historic Places added the former factory to its list in 2019, and it is known as the oldest purpose-built aircraft factory in the U.S.

Dayton Fire Department officials said firefighters deployed to the scene around 2:30 a.m. following reports of a fire at the buildings. The department said there is no report or damage estimate yet, in part because the blaze is under investigation. Firefighters remained on the scene more than 12 hours after the initial alarm. According to numerous reports, damage to the complex is significant.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is Lead Editor of Aviation Consumer and a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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