California's historic Bidwell Mansion in Chico destroyed by fire; Victorian home was "Thin Man" film location
CHICO – The historic Bidwell Mansion in Chico, California went up in flames early Wednesday morning, destroying the building.
Firefighters responded to the scene at the Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park just after 3:30 a.m., according to Action News Now.
Flames engulfed the unique 26-room Victorian home and appeared to have consumed the entire building.
In a statement, Chico Mayor Kasey Reynolds called the loss of the historic mansion a devastating loss for the city.
"Our firefighters, whether on duty or off, gave their all in the face of this fire," Reynolds said. "As we recover from the loss of our iconic Bidwell Mansion, we'll continue to rely on the strength of our community to move forward."
The damage was contained to the mansion, state parks officials say. Damage assessments were underway.
Exactly what started the fire is unknown at this point.
"While it's too early to discuss the future of Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, we are resolute in our dedication to preserving California's history," said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero in a statement.
A candlelight vigil will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Children's Park. Speakers will include the Chico mayor and other notable community figures.
The historic mansion, originally built in the 1860s, was undergoing renovations that began in Spring 2024 and has been temporarily closed to visitors. According to California State Parks, the work was nearly complete.
Thanks to the renovation, some historic artifacts had been removed from the mansion. A full inventory will be completed once the site is deemed safe.
Bidwell Mansion was the home of Chico founder and California pioneer John Bidwell. The 1934 film "The Thin Man" starring William Powell filmed several scenes inside the mansion.
A Rebuild Bidwell Mansion fundraiser is being operated by the North Valley Community Foundation, Tri Counties Bank and Chico State University.
CBS Sacramento cannot guarantee that the money donated to fundraiser accounts will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering donating, you should consult your own advisers and proceed at your own risk.