[MSN] USA. A small fire at Old Sturbridge Village's Freeman Farmhouse has temporarily closed the building, built between 1810 and 1815, according to officials at the living history museum.

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Fire damages Old Sturbridge Village farmhouse
Posted by The Republican Newsroom June 04, 2007 20:34PM
By LORI STABILE 
lstabile at repub.com 

STURBRIDGE - A small fire at Old Sturbridge Village's Freeman Farmhouse has
temporarily closed the building, built between 1810 and 1815, according to
officials at the living history museum. 

Sturbridge Fire Capt. John C. Marinelli today said the fire, reported just
after midnight on Sunday, was not suspicious, but caused approximately
$50,000 in damage. Marinelli said fire officials believe a hot ember from
the fireplace, used the day before for a cooking demonstration, spread the
fire in the kitchen. 

The fire broke through the roof, and Old Sturbridge Village security
officers, who were alerted by the fire alarm, responded within four minutes,
followed by Sturbridge firefighters. The security officers used a fire
extinguisher to contain the fire, according to a press release from Old
Sturbridge Village. 

"Our security officers are to be commended. They likely saved the building
from sustaining much more significant damage," Old Sturbridge Village chief
executive officer James Donahue said in a statement. 

"This is a real-life reminder to us that fire was a constant concern to
families in the 1830s. The kitchen fireplace was the hub of the home and
families depended on it for their main source for heat, light and cooking.
As we make repairs, we will examine and upgrade fire safety measures,"
Donahue added. 

Old Sturbridge Village officials stated that it appeared the fire started
inside the paneling and framing surrounding the fireplace and chimney. 

Marinelli said 10 Sturbridge firefighters were on scene, and the Southbridge
Fire Department also assisted. 

Old Sturbridge Village marketing coordinator Pamela S. Lozier said the first
two rooms in the building were not affected by the fire, and will be opened
to visitors as soon as possible. 

"None of our artifacts were actually damaged," Lozier said. 

Repairing the kitchen area may take several weeks, she said. Meanwhile,
cooking demonstrations will be moved to either the Fitch House on the common
or the Townhouse. Freeman Farm, located in the "countryside" area,
previously featured the only cooking demonstrations at the village, which
recreates New England life in the 1830s. 

The Freeman Farmhouse is a 1½-story gambrel-roofed house that was built on a
site two miles from its current location at Old Sturbridge Village. In 1828,
it was home to Delia and Pliny Freeman and their children, and the kitchen
was added shortly after they moved in. 

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