NEWS

Probe continues into fire that destroyed Pitney Farm mansion

Peggy Wright
@PeggyWrightDR

MENDHAM TWP. - The Morris County Prosecutor's Office on Thursday was continuing to investigate the cause and origin of an early-morning blaze Wednesday that destroyed the historic, 11,800-square-foot mansion on the Pitney Farm estate.

The Pitney Farm on Cold Hill Road, an 11,800-square-foot Colonial-era mansion was severely damaged by a fire early Wednesday morning. The historic plot was on the Cold Hill Road property as early as 1720 and was home to 11 generations of Pitneys until 2013.  February 25, 2016. Mendham, N.J.

The Township Committee in 2009 bought the 12-acre property for $4 million and in December, a nonprofit corporation called Friends of Pitney Farm had presented the committee with an extensive proposal to lease five acres and manage the remaining seven acres.  Friends of Pitney Farm envisioned using the property as a cultural and historical venue for the community to enjoy.

SEE PHOTOS: Historic Pitney Farm mansion destroyed by overnight fire http://dailyre.co/1TFQrDS 

On Thursday morning, workers were on the property demolishing sections of the mansion that were ravaged by the fire that first was reported at 2:37 a.m. Wednesday.

A dwelling was first on the property in 1722 and over the centuries of ownership by members of the Pitney family, the house grew to three stories and had several extensions.

READ STORY: Historic Mendham Twp. mansion destroyed in fire http://dailyre.co/1XMlY68

Assistant Morris County Fire Marshal Lou Pepe had been at the fire scene Wednesday and said the sides of the mansion had started to collapse during the fire. Denise Arseneault, spokeswoman for the Prosecutor's Office, said the investigation was continuing.

Mendham Township Administrator Deborah Bonanno released a statement on behalf of the committee that did not address whether any portion of the mansion could be salvaged. Bonanno's statement included the comment: "As is routine, the cause of the fire is under investigation and updates will be posted as new information becomes available."

The Pitney Farm on Cold Hill Road, an 11,800-square-foot Colonial-era mansion was severely damaged by a fire early Wednesday morning. The historic plot was on the Cold Hill Road property as early as 1720 and was home to 11 generations of Pitneys until 2013.  February 25, 2016. Mendham, N.J.

The statement said: "The Mendham Township Committee, Mendham Township employees and the entire Mendham community are deeply saddened by the destruction early Wednesday morning (Feb. 23, 2016) of the Pitney Farm homestead main building. We are grateful that the building was unoccupied and that there are no reported injuries. Nevertheless, we are pained by the loss of this historic residence and the pleasant memories it provided to many longtime residents of Mendham Township and the surrounding area."

"The community would like to commend and thank the units that responded to the fire in the middle of the night, including Mendham Township Brookside Engine Co. No. 1, Mendham Township Ralston Engine Co. No. 1, the Mendham Township and Mendham Borough First Aid Squads, and fire companies from Mendham, Chester, Randolph, Peapack-Gladstone, Bernardsville, Morris Plains, New Vernon, Fairmount, Roxbury and Mount Arlington."

"We also are grateful to the Morris County Mutual Aid coordinators and the Morris County Air Truck, which is staffed by the Morris Plains Fire Department, as well as the companies that provided coverage at responding firehouses, including Flanders, Morris Township, Bernardsville and Schooley's Mountain."

   Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.