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3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 24, 2009 Heritage farmhouse gutted by `suspicious' blaze By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It was a part of Oakville's past that would have played an important role in the town's future. Instead it now lies in ashes. The 19th century Kaitting House, located at 237 Dundas St. W., was destroyed early Thursday morning in an intense fire police are calling suspicious. The Oakville Fire Department was called to the vacant property around 1:15 a.m. where they found the two-storey farmhouse fully engulfed in flames. "Fire was coming out the second storey windows and breaking through the roof," said Michael Harrison, a fire prevention officer with the Oakville Fire Department. "Some of the walls started to collapse after they got there. She was really going." DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER In total, seven fire department vehicles attended the scene. It took firefighters more HERITAGE LOST: The 19th century Kaitting House, located at 237 Dundas St. W., was gutted by than two hours to bring the blaze under an early morning fire on Thursday. Built in 1848, the house is on the Town of Oakville's Heritage Register control. and steps were being taken to permanently protect it under the Ontario Heritage Act. The official cause of the fire is, as yet Ontario Heritage Act. had been completely gutted in the fire. unknown, however, police are looking into Knoll said the loss is even more tragic For residents who make heritage presernumerous possibilities. vation an important part of their lives, news because the farmhouse was not going to be "I do know, from speaking to some of the of the destruction of the Kaitting House has vacant for much longer, but was soon to neighbours around there, that this was a bit been difficult to bear. become a community centre thanks to the of a party house for local youth," said "When we heard about it, we thought property's owner. Detective Constable Colin Grierson. "Some that because it was brick there might still be "We were really excited about the buildof the property was found to be insecure." some hope there, but seeing the pictures ing because Mattamy was looking to move it, Built in 1848, the someone sent me a couKaitting House was origi- "I do know, from speaking ple of hours ago...that nally part of a 200-acre was pretty devastating," to some of the neighbours farm. said Michelle Knoll, of the Its architecture was around there, that this was Trafalgar Township considered significant by a bit of a party house." Historical Society. heritage groups as a local "It was one of our top variation of an `Ontario Detective Constable priority homes for (her(Clients portion) Vernacular' brick gable Colin Grierson, itage) designation. The *Some Conditions Apply roofed farmhouse with Halton Regional Police interior was incredible. elements of Neoclassical There was a beautiful and Gothic Revival styles. wood fireplace, hand-crafted; the floor to The Town of Oakville recognized the ceiling had wood trim all the way around importance of the structure as it is on its them. It still had all the original floorHeritage Register, which meant a 60-day boards, original floors, original staircases, waiting period would be required before any you name it. It was just really exceptional demolition could take place. inside." If after 60 days we have not The Town was also taking steps to permaA damage estimate for the Kaitting nently protect the farmhouse by adding it to House was not available at press time, howprovided you with the best the list of properties protected under the ever, Grierson noted the inside of the home hearing possible, we will give "We were really excited about the building because Mattamy was looking to move it, restore it and give it to the community." Michelle Knoll, Trafalgar Township Historical Society restore it and give it to the community," said Knoll. "We were looking at non-profit agencies to share the space in what would have been a multi-service building. We were looking at moving Oak Park Moms & Tots up to use that building to provide services in North Oakville for the new families coming in. The historical society was looking potentially at having space in there as well." Knoll said this is not the only historical building that was set on fire this year. Just one month ago, fire broke out at the Squire James Appelbe House, located at 257 Dundas St., although damage was not as severe as that of the Kaitting House. Like the Kaitting House, the vacant Appelbe House had a history of being used as a hangout by area youth. Knoll is calling on residents who live near vacant heritage homes to keep an eye on them and to call police if anything suspicious is seen. HEARING AID SPECIAL Up to 3 Year Service Warranty * $ From 295 60 DAY GUARANTEE: you your money back... 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