THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, August 4, 1995                 TAG: 9508040558
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A1   EDITION: FINAL 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   26 lines

BLIMP HANGAR BURNS TO THE GROUND THE FIRE IN WEEKSVILLE, N.C., MIGHT HAVE STARTED IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA, OFFICIALS SAY. COMPLETE STORY/A6

A. MACK SAWYER

THE FIRE

The blaze in the historic 1,000-by-300-foot hangar, built in 1942 by

the Navy, could be seen for 40 miles Thursday.

BILL TIERNAN/Staff color photos

``It's a loss to the landscape of Elizabeth City,'' said Eddie

Meekins, ground systems manager of the major tenant of the hangar.

``It's been a landmark . . . It's one of those things you think

will always be here.''

by CNB