FALL RIVER — The four 19th century bells that once rang out about the old city hall —placed for decades on display on Third Street across from One Government Center — have been moved and placed in temporary storage. 

But not before a fire broke out around noon on Tuesday under the metal bell tower structure as crews were removing the bells for transport to the Department of Community Maintenance barn on Lewiston Street. 

Witnesses said they saw flames shooting out of about 10 feet of metal framing and a portion of the sidewalk as crews were lowering the structure to the ground by a crane. 

The crew was able to contain the fire before the fire department arrived. 

Director of Inspectional Services Glenn Hathaway said wires under the structure caught fire after getting hot. A city worker was in the process of cutting wires in the basement of the former International Ladies Garment Workers Union, where the mechanisms for the bells are located. 

The property at 38 Third St., where the bells were located, is now owned by developer Tony Cordeiro.

Hathaway said Cordeiro had wanted the bells to be moved at this property where he is redeveloping the building into market rate housing.

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“The bells are coming down due to a structural report we received when the former planner, Bill Kenney was here,” said Director of Inspectional Services Glenn Hathaway. “The engineer that did the survey said there was a compromise in the steel.” 

After learning of the condition of the steel frame, Hathaway ordered a fence around the bells until it could be dismantled — an effort that started last week and nearly completed on Tuesday.  

The bells, which date back to 1888 according to Hathaway, were hauled by trailer to the DPW barn where they will be stored for now. 

Hathaway said it cost $7,500 for crews to remove the bells. 

“We are going to try to find another spot for them,” said Mayor Paul Coogan right after the last of the four bells was transported to the DPW barn. “I’ve gotten calls from concerned citizens."

Jo C. Goode may be reached at jgoode@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism and subscribe to The Herald News today!