Historic Bidwell Mansion in Chico, CA, Is Destroyed in a Fire as Authorities Launch Investigation Into Cause of Blaze

The historic Bidwell Mansion in Chico, CA, was destroyed in a devastating fire that engulfed the 159-year-old property in the early hours of Dec. 11, authorities have revealed.

According to local reports, the fire was first reported at 3:15 a.m., when firefighters were warned about an “illegal burn” in the area, with Deputy Fire Chief Chris Zinko noting that a person was seen leaving the location at around the same time.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, they discovered the so-called “illegal burn” was actually a structural fire that ripped through the three-story home.

It is not known what sparked the blaze, or whether the fire was started intentionally; however, Zinko tells Realtor.com® that his team is investigating every possible lead, including video footage that shows a person leaving the mansion at the same time the fire broke out.

“It’s still under investigation,” Zinko says. “We know there’s been some construction there lately. We have video of someone leaving the area.”

‘A total loss’

Zinko adds that almost the entirety of the structure has been destroyed as a result of the fire, noting that the efforts his team went to put it out were incredibly complicated, revealing that the flames were so severe firefighters could not enter the home.

“I believe it was a complete loss,” he says of the horrifying impact on the mansion. “Part of the building is still standing. But it was completely engulfed in fire. We had to go into defensive operations.

“We were shooting with water from all sides, all four sides of the building, and not able to go inside and put the fire out. It was burning for multiple hours, at least three hours.

“There’s some of the exterior of the building is still standing, [but] it’s not very stable.”

The 1860s building has been undergoing renovations since the spring and had been closed to the public, with the project expected to be completed at the end of 2024.

Authorities later revealed they were expecting the building to collapse at some point, adding that no injuries are thought to have been sustained in the fire, per KRCR.

Historic home

The landmark building was commissioned by General John Bidwell and wife Annie Bidwell in 1865. He tapped Henry Clevland, an architect who had designed some of the more “upper-class houses” in San Francisco and Sacramento to create the estate in the newly founded town of Chico.

Once completed, the construction offered some modern comforts, such as “state-of-the-art gas lighting, a cupola for air circulation, and was the first house North of Sacramento with indoor plumbing,” according to the mansion’s website.

After the Bidwell’s marriage in 1868, the imposing 26-room, Victorian style home served as their residence.

During their time there, the storied residence welcomed guests including President Rutherford B. Hayes, Civil War General William Sherman, and activist Susan B. Anthony.

John Bidwell lived until his death in 1900. Annie lived there until her death in 1918, and the local Presbyterian Church inherited the home. However, unable to afford the upkeep, the church sold the home to to Chico Normal School, later to become Chico State University. The enormous residence became a women’s dorm and was later used for classrooms and offices.

Then in 1964, the home became part of the California State Parks, which has been most recently working to restore it.

The mansion had been temporarily closed to the public in order to work on some much needed exterior repairs, according to the park website.

Work had been expected to be completed by the end of the year.