Page 4. Whilby Fru Press, Wodncsday, JuIy 21, 1993 Fire deéstroys barn ng-lear hi*storie farmho use FROM PAGE 1 structure under the Ontario Heritage Art. Since 1990 it has been owned by E:in M ilis Development Corp. which Pl ans to build a massive 1,600-un it subdivision west of Cochrane, between Rossland and Taunton roads. Approximnately $1,000 damage occurred to the barn which had been slated fqr demolition. While tire department offliciaIs have their "suspicions" about what caused the blaze, they can- not emphatically state that the ire was either accidentally or deliberately set. Children were observed near the vacant farmnhouse and barn prior to the tire being spotted shortly before 10:30 a.m. But as of Monday morning, offliciais could not confirm that children were responsible. "I don't think well corne up with the exact cause," said Whitby tire chief Tony Vando- leweerd. «We believe there were un- authorized people on the site and we believe they started it, but wve not stated it as such," he said. «We've checked into it as far as we can and we're at a dead end as far as an actual person," the chief added. Smoke from the fire was visible for many miles around Whitby and the smell of burning wood could be detected as far away as the municipal building on Bossland Road. Linda Sommer of nearby Red Maple Court was drivinir home from shopping when she 6ntced the fire. "At irst I thought it was a thunder cloud, btut it was smoke, " said Sommer. She walked over to investigate and saw the barn engulfed in flames. "twas like a rolling bail of ftire, just amnazing," said Sommer. Two pumper trucks, an aerial truck, rescue vehicle and 16 tire- fighters were needed to battle the blaze. Since access to the property is along a short dirt road running from Cochrane Street and across a wooden bridge over the Lynde Creek this made fighting the tire more âiff-icult. Hoses had to be strung from hydrants on Cochrane and car- ried about one-quarter mile up a sligthill to the barn. Te heavier ire vehicles could go no farther than the bridge, about halfway between the barn BICYCLES found near the barn thal was destroyed by fire Iast Thursday. Fire officiais coUld flot confirm that oidren were responisible. Photo by Maurice Pither. Whitby Free Press TO REACH the fire scene, Whitby firefighters had ta run hoses from Cochrane Street and up the long Ianeway, including crossing an CIRCLE TAXIýff eAir condifioned cars «We'iIgo anywhere, anyfime" *Open 24 Haurs 7 Days a Week e Parcel delivery ,@ Airport rates 668a 6666 16-01 osiatR.E. (a 7ardn9St. "A Blossoming Romance" Plate 2: Beauty & the Beast $39.90 Now Takîng Orders 668-1164 101H ANNIX ERSARY SALE JULY 26-3 1 10% +OFF DEALE P MEMBEA OF THiE SELECTED PLATES aid bridge over which fire trucks could not travel. Photo by Maurice Pither, Whitby Free Press and Cecl-.ane. In addition te pouring water on the barn, tirefighters had te contend with s poradie fires breaking out in the grass and trees. The roof of a shed next te the house caught fire but was quickly extinguished. Firef-ighters were still dousing the sm- --ldering ruins late Thurs- day afternoon, but were "satis- ied everything is out," said Van- doleweerd. Art and Babe Smith have lived on the opposite side of Rossland Hoad fromn the farm for 37 years. They toid The Free Press there have ben numerous grass ires over the years, but neyer a barn tire. Their children played on the property when it was known as Twin Stream Farmi and operated by the Kerr famiiy. In recent years, their grand- children played in the tields after it ceased beinq an active farmi. uNow that ît's (house) empty, we're afraid it will be a target,» said Mrs. Smith. The fire tends te support the position of the Whîtby ire department with respect te the future of the Tweedie House. Although council initiated pro- ceedings ]last year te, have the house designated as an historic structure, the action 'vas term- porarily suspended. Fox run vohmnteers needed Volunteers are needed for the Terry Fox Run to be held in Whitby on Sunday, Sept. 19. Caîl Marilyn Peck at 666-2888. 'he fire department raised concerns about access te the building should a t ire occur. The department suggested that the house either be demol- ished or a fence erected around it to prevent anyone from entering the p remises. While Erin Milîs has taken measures te improve the situa- tion, "it appears there's still access te the house," Vando- leweerd said Thursday. "There are signs that people did some damage to the house. It stili appears there are people trespassing," he said. Erin Milîs officiai Elizabeth Halpenny said the company will honour its previous commitinent topreserve the bouse. eut no firm decision has been made on how this will be done, she said. The company is considering selling the house as a private residence, but in order to do s0 would likely have to relocate the building elsewhere within the development, Halpenny said. In its current location, the house is occupying what would be two serviced lots and te leave it there might be t<><> uost pro- hibitive» to any potential buyer, she said. Rick McDonnell, chair of Whitby's Local Architectural Advisory Comnittee (LACAC), said his group would prefer the house not be moved. "The site plan shows it being on an extra large lot where it's sitting. That's where w-e'd like it to remain,» said McDonnell. "So far they've (developer) accommodated. Other than that it's moving slowly," he said. McDonnell added that the barn had no historical signifi- cance. RASPBERRIES!O PICK VO UR OWN EVER YDA Y PEAS AND BEANSs FRESH PICKED AND U-PICK! Zdanowicz Fa.r 1 WE- NOW ACCEPT VISA r-