EAST HAMPTON, Conn. — One of the oldest continuously operating factories in Connecticut that made bells was destroyed in a weekend fire.

The blaze at the Bevin Brothers Manufacturing factory in East Hampton started at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. More than 30 fire departments helped to bring it under control.

Bevin Brothers was the last of a once-thriving industry that earned East Hampton the nickname, “Belltown, USA.”

It manufactured more than 700,000 sleigh bells a year and its products were featured in Hollywood’s Christmas classic, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” and at football games and ski races.

The Connecticut Region 3 Incident Management Team said propane tanks in the factory caught fire and exploded, helping spread the blaze.