The Rochester Fire Section (RFD) responded about 1:00 a.m. to an automatic fire alarm at the residence that at the time belonged to Anthony, a leader of the women’s suffrage motion. The fire burned by the home’s back porch.
The Rochester Hearth Investigation Unit listed the cause of the fire as suspicious, but the last induce stays undetermined and is even now beneath investigation, RFD spokesperson Lt Jeffrey Simpson advised CNN.
Cameras on the house confirmed a particular person standing in the back garden and on the again porch correct in advance of the fireplace begun, Susan B. Anthony Museum and House president Deborah Hughes instructed CNN.
“We do not know why someone would do this, it may possibly have been a random or intentional act, or it might have been another person responding to the museum being a supporter of women’s rights considering the fact that we are in a contentious period. It truly is challenging to know for guaranteed,” Hughes reported.
Firefighters relocated artifacts into a harmless aspect of the household and took good care getting into the household, halting any extension of fireplace, smoke, or h2o harm from getting into the house, according to Simpson.
“The firefighters ended up so cautious with the artifacts, even going photos whilst trying to keep them in the ideal get,” Hughes stated. “They ended up very conscientious about building confident not as well substantially water got into the house.”
The again porch, which was in excess of 100 yrs aged, was a full decline and was taken down to secure the construction and make certain the residence was secure, Simpson mentioned.
“The harm to the developing was purely on the outside again porch of the framework,” he added. “There was some minimal extension into the creating simply because it broke by the door, but it was only some h2o and smoke hurt on the to start with floor.”
The property was crafted in 1859, and Anthony lived in the household — which also became headquarters of the Countrywide American Girl Suffrage Affiliation — from 1866 to 1906, the year she died.
“The Rochester Fire Office has long understood the importance that this residence retains equally to our community community as effectively as the nation,” Battalion Chief Joseph Luna mentioned in a assertion. “A wonderful position was carried out by the firefighters tonight in restricting the consequences of the fire on both of those the museum and its displays.”
“Anthony was all about seeking to construct a far more just society and we just hope that what folks get out of coming to the dwelling inspires them to carry on this perform,” Hughes mentioned.
“It is so apparent how substantially this residence matters to the group, our neighbors, and even our firefighters. They ended up deeply moved with not only using the obligation seriously, but experience like this is a nationwide treasure,” Hughes stated. “What could have been actually tragic, thanks to the wonderful function of the firefighters, was a unhappy decline but we will be ok.”
The process to rebuild a back porch will start as before long as doable, Hughes said.
