Fire destroys barn at historic New Hampshire farm

STRATHAM, N.H. (AP) — A fire destroyed a barn at a New Hampshire farm that’s been the backdrop for political events for Republican presidents and candidates through the years.

The fire burned down a barn at the Scamman Farm in Stratham. The fire broke out a little after 10:30 p.m. Monday. Fire crews from numerous towns responded. The cause of the fire is under investigation, the Stratham Fire Department said.

Family says 300 chickens were lost in the massive fire in the barn at the Scamman Farm in Stratham. Many of the decorations and items used during the corn maze and other fall activities at the farm were also destroyed. (Photo from Lucas Dawson) @UnionLeader pic.twitter.com/pTItgFLHUA

— Jason Schreiber (@Schreibernews) May 11, 2021

“Everyone is safe, our family is safe! Thank you to everyone for the kind words and most importantly Thank you to all of the fire fighters that put themselves on the line to keep everyone safe,” the owners said early Tuesday in a Facebook post.

Stratham, NH- A fire destroyed Scamman Farm’s historic barn. No one was injured. #wmur pic.twitter.com/TbWN5E6e2j

— Jessica Moran (@JessicaMoranTV) May 11, 2021

In 2011, Mitt Romney announced at the farm that he was running for president. Former Presidents George W. Bush, and his father, George H.W. Bush, also had visited the farm.

Seacoastonline.com reports the barn that was destroyed was four stories high and dates back to the mid-1800s. It housed about 300 chickens, which were killed in the fire. Damaged, but still standing, is another barn that dates back to 1750 and is believed to be the oldest structure on the property.

The farm was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.

In this June 15, 2012, photo, then-Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks during a campaign stop at the Scamman Farm.