Boston's Famous Citgo Sign Catches Fire

BOSTON, Mass. --

The world-famous Citgo sign that sits behind the Green Monster in Fenway Park caught fire Wednesday.

Two ladder trucks were dispatched to the sign late Wednesday morning. The fire blackened some of the panels on the red, white and blue sign.

Fire department spokesman Steve MacDonald said flames were visible when firefighters got there, but the fire was quickly put out. MacDonald said the blaze was likely caused by an electrical short circuit and estimated the damage at about $5,000.

The sign, said to be the largest sign in New England at 60 by 60 feet, was originally built over the Cities Service divisional office in 1940. The original neon tube sign was rebuilt in 2005 to feature thousands of LED lights.

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