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OLD SHAWNEETOWN, Ill.—Details are scant about a fire that ravaged one of Old Shawneetown’s oldest structures very early this morning, but officials have noted that the home is considered a total loss.
The Barton family owned the 200-year-old, beautiful red brick structure, but no one was at home when the fire erupted in the overnight hours (at some point in time between midnight and 1 a.m.) on Market Street.
Old Town fire responded and called for assistance from Shawneetown, Ridgway, New Haven, Equality, Omaha and Eldorado to battle the blaze and the weather: the wind chill factor was below zero last night and water being used to fight the fire was freezing as it was being utilized.
We’re waiting to hear back from Shawneetown’s fire chief, who, we’ve been told, has gone to Springfield to get a new truck and should be back this evening.
When we learn more, we’ll try to bring it here. Keep checking back.
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Below is a composite photograph of the Barton home before the fire, and then as the blaze consumed it, as put together by the Facebook page, Ghosts of Old Shawneetown Illinois:
