Created: 11/04/2009 6:08 PM KSTC45.com | Print Story By: Becky Nahm

Copper Theft Delays Opening of St. Paul Fire HQ

The work of copper thieves will delay the opening of the new St. Paul Fire Department headquarters building.

The new structure, on Randolph Ave. east of 7th Street West, was scheduled to open on Thanksgiving day. But on Oct. 5, someone broke onto the construction site.

The St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard said, "They cut and removed some of the copper feeder cable inside the building and that all has to be replaced and reinstalled."

To allow time for construction crews to repair the damage, the opening date has been pushed back to Dec. 14.

The contractor's insurance will cover the $70,000 loss, but fire officials are frustrated.

Zaccard said, "It's pretty rude. We're here to serve the community. We're here for the public safety. This is public money that's put into here and some people come in and just steal it. It's not their property, it's our property."

Since the theft, the department did hire a 24-hour security guard to watch the facility.

Police say they have no suspects in the theft.

The new 60,000 square foot facility will house two fire stations and department headquarters.