UPDATE: Historic McHenry Mansion Closed After Fire
MODESTO (CBS13) -- The McHenry Mansion caught fire on Tuesday night, burning the front exterior of the landmark building built in the late 1800s, causing water damage inside and forcing the closure of the historic landmark.
The fire comes at a bad time for the city, which had several holiday events planned at the mansion, including a Christmas Eve wedding that the bride has pushed back for a year so that she can keep it at the mansion.
The city, which owns the building, announced the following changes in the wake of the fire:
- Christmas Candlelight Tours scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 17 have been cancelled. Refunds are available by stopping by the McHenry Museum (located at 1402 I Street) this Thursday or Friday between noon and 4 p.m.
- The McHenry Mansion Foundation Old Fashioned Victorian Christmas Celebration has been moved to Saturday, Dec. 17 and will be held at the McHenry Museum.
- School tours of the McHenry Mansion are in the process of being rescheduled or cancelled. School tours are still available at the McHenry Museum and can be scheduled by calling (209) 577-5235.
The fire broke out at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and two witnesses acted quickly to help put out the flames before Modesto Regional Fire Authority firefighters arrived, including one witness who brought over a fire extinguisher.
There was no immediate word on what caused the fire. Damage was estimated at $200,000. Cleanup and restoration efforts have already begun but the museum is expected to be closed through February.
The mansion, located at 906 15th Street in downtown Modesto, was built in 1882-83 by prominent Modesto banker and rancher Robert McHenry. It was converted into apartments from 1923 to 1972 and then saved from demolition by the Gallo brothers and donated to the city of Modesto in 1976.
It was then restored and opened to the public for tours.
