An overnight fire that tore through the old Quincy City Hall building started while someone was trying to steal copper piping, fire officials confirmed Tuesday afternoon. A torch ignited combustibles inside the historical building. The fire was spotted by a taxi driver at about 1 a.m. who called 911. The blaze grew to three alarms.
"We had an alarm come in at 12:59 a.m. When fire companies arrived, they had heavy fire showing in the building," said Quincy Fire Chief Joseph Barron.