Fairview Inn fire under investigation

The cause of a fire that destroyed the historic Fairview Inn in Bridgewater is still under investigation, fire officials said Sunday.

The fire broke out at about 5 p.m. Saturday, and fire crews were on the scene for 12 hours before it was completely put out.

Derwin Swinemar, deputy fire marshal, said the fire started on the main floor of the building.

"It was quite a fire," he said Sunday. "It started on the interior of the home. There's quite a bit of damage to the end; it's quite an old structure. It suffered a lot of heavy fire damage down below.

"The roof collapsed and there's heavy water damage, as well."

The most badly damaged area appeared to be the lobby.

There was no one at the Inn when the fire broke out, but neighbours said there was work being done on the main floor of the house earlier Saturday.

The three-storey building was constructed in 1916 after a fire destroyed the original hotel. The property has had hotels on it for more than 100 years.

The Fairview Inn is one of the oldest continuing businesses in Bridgewater and has played an integral role in the economic development of the town, according to the Town of Bridgewater website.